See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scam_baiting

>Whatever that is, Agnes?
>
>Burt whatever it is, it seems an expensive form of fishing.
>
>>Hi Terry
>>sounds like an anti scam baiting precaution to me.
>>
>>Agnes
>>
>>>Beware everyone. Last week I received a scam about a man having a load of money tied up in a bank, after his father was murdered, and asking me if I want to help him get it out. This seemed to be the son of a white farmer who'd been dsipossessed of his land, in Zimbabwe.
>>>
>>>I know what you're thinking - we ALL know of these scams. But this one had a difference: it was addressed personally to me (although the salutation wasn't) and arrived by snail mail, with a 2nd class stamp.
>>>
>>>I haven't seen one of these for about 13 years!