Here’s quite a sophisticated (well, compared to 90% of it) bit of spam I got today. Not only does it leech off the tragedy of the London 7/7 bombings, but it also comes from a vaguely plausible email address. Plus it even has the usual legal disclaimer from a law firm. These spammers are really getting into spear phishing (targeted spam):

<snip>

From: “Anthony Singer-Singer”<anthonysingers@aol.co.uk>

Subject: Information For Your Attention.

Greetings from Guildhall Court Chambers!

Pursuant to our fundamental commitment to human rights, social justice and equality which still underpin everything that we do whether in the courtroom, or out in the wider world, we wish to seek your cooperation and guidance, if you could perhaps provide us with detailed information as you share the same last name with our late client who died on July 7, 2005 London terrorist bombing leaving no trace of his immediate family members information.

Over the years, we have worked indefatigably and uncompromisingly to locate any of the relatives of our late client and all to no avail hence, the need for this correspondence. We would be delighted to have you as the apparent heir of our late client hence, you share the same last name and could possibly be somewhere in his family tree. We have been mandated by his bankers to provide any of his family members to claim his lawful assets with the bank because it is legally incumbent on us to do so as the legal representatives to the deceased.

We have decided to take this chance with you as out last resort to have you stand as the apparent heir of our late client since you both share the same last name as we have secured an order of mandate from the Probate Registry to locate any member of his family to claim what rightfully belong to him and for this reason, it remains your legal right and responsibility to protect the interest of your family in this regards.

Contact me for additional information and to discuss the modalities of this brief. Your earliest response is imperative and shall be appreciated to enable us conclude this brief in good time without delays.

Thanking you for your kind attention in anticipation of your response ASAP.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Singer-Singer, LLB (Hons)

Guildhall Court Chambers

Lincoln ‘s Inn Fields,

London WC2A 3LS

WARNING:

The information contained in this e-mail (and or accompanying attachments) may be legally privileged and is confidential. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient you are notified that any use, disclosure, copying or distribution of the information is prohibited. If you have received the message in error please notify us

immediately, delete the original and all electronic copies, and destroy any hard copies.

</snip>