Analysis of Inheritance Scams’ Emails

Elisabeth Do
Elisabeth Do
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November 16, 2023
1 min

A few months ago, I received this email in my junk box. First of all, I don’t know the sender. So, why is he sending me this email? Let’s analyze the content of the email together.

Example of beneficiary scam emails

We will analyze in depth all the elements of an inheritance scam email. This can be used as a reference for other types of beneficiary scam emails.

Category Content of the Email Suggestion
Sender's Email Address The email marshalhenry004@gmail.com doesn’t match
with the sender’s name Albert Jacquard.
Check the sender’s email address for authenticity.
Look for inconsistencies or suspicious domains.
Subject Line In this case, there is no subject line. Analyze the subject line (if present).
Scammers may use urgent or generic subject lines.
Greeting The greeting is "Greetings dears". Watch for cliched or generic salutations.
Legitimate emails are often personalized.
Sender’s Identity The sender claims to be a branch manager from U.T.B
Union Bank Of Togo.
Investigate the sender's claimed identity.
Verify their role and organization independently.
Narrative Content "I have under my file a deceased customer who
happens to share the same last name with you.
He left a huge sum valued 7.5 Million Dollars with our bank."
Scrutinize the inheritance scenario.
Watch for contradictions, exaggerated stories, or
attempts to manipulate emotions.
Urgency Tone "Reply back” and “Reply me back for proceedings." Look for wording that pressures you to reply immediately.
Requests for Information No requests for information in this email. Be alert for any requests for personal or financial info.
Legitimate sources rarely ask for sensitive data over email.
Fee Requirements No fees mentioned initially, but if you reply, the scammer
may ask for fees to "access your inheritance."
Any mention of upfront fees or costs related to inheritance
is a warning sign of fraud.
Grammar and Spelling The email contains many grammar mistakes. Review language quality.
Poor grammar and odd language are common in scam emails.
Attachments/Links There are no attachments or links. Note any links or attachments in similar emails.
Always check their legitimacy before clicking or opening.
Contact Information Apart from "name" and "email address," additional
recipient info is lacking.
Look for legitimate contact details, such as phone numbers
or official addresses.
Signature The email signature was not professional. Evaluate how professional (or suspicious) the email signature looks.
Scams often have odd or generic signatures.
Emotional Manipulation The message is urgent and aims to get a quick response. Consider if the email tries to manipulate your emotions using
urgency, pity, or similar tactics.