Analyzing formal and informal greetings in scam e-mail

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Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:32 am

I've been looking at scam e-mails for a long while now.
I'm always tickled by the opening few bars of their impassioned plea for help or offer of unimaginable riches.

I saw one today which started off with

Quote:

Good Day My good friend?

Firstly, if I've never met someone and send them an e-mail, would I call someone a friend let alone question the fact Smile

Quote:

Dear Good Friend,

Just as painful and plainly leading to some begging or pleading.

Quote:

Dear Beloved,

Well that's just over the top. The only time that is ever used is by a vicar at a wedding. Usually I can guess the rest of the e-mail is going to be about a 'dying old christian woman leaving her vast fortune to orphans'

Quote:

Dear Recipient;

Lazy. Yes I am the recipient, what do you want.

Quote:

Hello dear

The term 'Dear' is often mistaken for a term of endearment. Calling someone 'Dear' is quite old fashioned and looked upon with derision if used in an office environment, especially between men and women. Romance scams usually begin with a 'dear or dearest'

Quote:

Dear Selected Winner,

Lottery scam, pass.

Quote:

IGOOD DAY.

'I' good day indeed. Apart from the typo, this is quite a common formal greeting. I can usually guess the person will pretend to be contacting me in some official capacity, a barrister or bank manager.

What's the weirdest opening to scam mail anyone has had?

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 26 Sep 2008 Posts: 689

Calvary Greetings!

As if Ii'm already nailed to a cross???? Smile

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 1:51 pm

N N N wrote:

Calvary Greetings!

As if Ii'm already nailed to a cross???? Smile

If Jesus saves, why doesn't he play for Chelsea?

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:52 pm

I like the ones that claim that I am the sole recipient to claim the fortune, and see that the e-mail is being sent out to the world.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 2:55 pm

And somebody is selling other scammers the letterhead for "ATT Drivers and Downloads" and then phishing for my account information.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 28 Dec 2011 Posts: 13

One of my favorites is the subject line "DEAR EMAIL OWNER"

Love that personal touch.

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 5:41 pm

I had one that seemed to alternate between "Calvary greetings!" and "Cavalry greetings!". I don't think he could decide whether he was Jesus or on horseback. Very Happy

Elite Baiter Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 1440

I just got one from a member of the US Army:

"Dear Pal"

One of my favorites is has always been:

"Compliment of the season", which seems a bit stale by February.

"Dear Beloved in Christ"...sort of over the top, IMO.

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 5:53 am

"Dear Sir or Madam"

I would rather they just start with "Hey, You!"

Baiting Guru Joined: 10 Oct 2010 Posts: 3877

what is this "complement of the season anyway"

how about de-education: "Mellow greetings. What seems to be your boggle?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbSXrH_CPKg