We've alll received the dodgy email that requests your bank details so that you can receive the unexpected inheritance from the long lost relative you never knew you had.
Or maybe the email is just politely informing you that you did actually scoop the jackpot in that competition you don't remember entering.
Phishing scams, as they are known, have been with us since the internet began and many of the ruses are becoming old hat, reports the Mirror.
So the newest email phishing scam has tried to think out the box and is all about assassination - and how the scammer can help you avoid it.
Beware of hired assassiin
In an email to writer Tom Chivers, the scammer claims that someone close to Mr Chivers has hired an assassin and that Mr Chivers is in danger.
The scammer, who claims that "we have been paid to assassinate you by someone close to you sincerely" has a very scary assassin-y name: Lynne Warner!
Mr Chivers is warned that the apparent assassin agency has a "network all over the world," and is warned not to tell anyone about the assassination order on him as "this is our business, and we know how to do it best."
The full email reads: "I am pleased to inform you that we have been paid to assassinate you by someone close to you sincerely. I want you to listen very carefully about your safety and do not, i repeat, do not try in anyway [sic] doing [sic] anything funny in other words, trying to inform any security agent because this is our business, and we know how to do it best.
"We have our network all over the world. In order not to endanger your life the more you are advice [sic] to co-operate with us to know if we can change our initial plan to assassinate you.
"Once you are in receipt of this message, i will like you to get back to us immediately as delay is dangerous. I wait to hear from you on this matter within the next 24 hours and that is if you appreciate and love your existence.
"Please do not in anyway [sic] communicate this or discuss this with anybody because you wouldn't know whom you are talking with.
"Reply to this message now. OUR WATCH-DOG ARE ON YOU. DO NOT MAKE ANY MISTAKE. GOD BE WITH YOU,GOOD LUCK!!!."
Unsurprisingly, Mr Chivers' Twitter followers are in stitches.
Author Dan Gardner jokingly responded: "I, for one, refuse to negotiate with assassins whose grammar is atrocious," while Tom Kirkendall said: "It's refreshing that even assassination phishers want God and luck to be with you."
Author Jamie McKelvie, meanwhile, started claiming Mr Chivers' possessions, writing: "It was nice knowing you. Can I have your paints?"
And James Davenport jested that he could help Mr Chivers, writing: "Dear Tom, I have Anti-Assassin powder, 100% effective against over 37 types of assassin. For you only £39.99 Please send me your bank details..."
