A Grandpa Keall scam

I got this email yesterday, which is a little creepy in that William Keall is in fact the name my late paternal grandfather (the one-time owner of Keall House in Howick, which I believe still goes by that name. Despite it's grand, state-granted title, it is a regulation brick-and-tile home. The moniker was a mischievous last-minute condition when the council was negotiating to buy the property to extend its library service). Anyhow that message:

Robert A Mark potterchambers@gmail.com
1:21 AM (14 hours ago)

to me
15 Aug

2012

Attn: Chris Keall

The purpose of this letter is to briefly introduce myself and also inform you of a very important and classified information that relates to monetary issues as regards the late Mr. William Keall. I am Mr.Robert A Mark., I have decided to write you via this private email box for personal reasons for my own security, further correspondence shall be official via my firm's email address if necessary.It requires your urgent attention and I would Like to meet with you personally, for about an hour or so, to discuss this issue. To set up a meeting for this at your convenience.It is my hope that we will be able to arrange to meet.However before we proceed, please confirm your last name. In the meantime, best of luck with your endeavors, and I look forward to answering any questions you may have and also meeting with you and doing business with you in the near future.

Thank you for accommodating my enquiry.

Best Regards,

Robert A Mark.
 

Was I being targeted?

Netsafe programme manager Chris Hails says it's possible. He points to the recent case of Wired journalist Mat Honan, who was specifically targeted by hackers (aided by lax Apple and Amazon security) and lost his online life.

"Wearing my cyber security 'they're out to get me' tinfoil hat you could be a relatively attractive target for someone given the likelihood you may get interesting tip offs as a business journalist or have a good email contacts list to spam/scam," says Hails.

"You may have shared his passing online somewhere and someone has Googled you and found a mention as a route in to spear phish you."

But then again it might have just been a lucky guess, he adds.

In any case, it is unlikely Grandpa Keall stashed a secret hoard of Bonus Bond winnings with Robert A Mark, with instructions to release them to his grandson in 2012.

Hails says Nigerians have been using this scam since 2008. 

Internal Affairs says there's been an uptick in New Zealanders targeted with it since early this year.

Though still pretty dubious, it's still a lot more authentic than your average phishing email.

If you're suspicious about any email (and there are some authentic looking ones these days purporting to be from banks, Trade Me or IRD), or just want the satisfaction of making life more difficult for its sender, head to Consumer Affairs' Scamwatch site.

Netsafe is good place to start for tips on making your inbox and PC more secure.

And remember that social engineering remains one of the key problems - from hackers who phone you posing as PC repairman, to dinner party hosts who, I'm sad to say, fake calls from scammers so they can escape boring dinner party guests.