By I always wondered how it is that people get suckered into email scams. You know the ones from banks, trust companies, Visa and even administration@(whatevercompanyyouworkat.com). It isn’t so much that I am questioning why people would answer a supposed valid request from someone for further information, it is that almost every one I have received has at least one spelling mistake. I realize that Chase bank could make a spelling mistake in their email BUT I always imagine that they have 50 people in their “proof-reading” department to prevent such things from happening. Today I received an email from Booking.com regarding my hotel reservation. It looked official complete with corporate logo and the works. Aside from the fact that I don’t have a hotel reservation….I really wonder who makes these things up and where they learned how to write. I assume that English is their second language, but if you are targeting English speaking people, then pay a few bucks for a proof-reader…or am I just thinking too logically? My email:
Booking.com
Dear Client, The hotel Arriva Hotel informed us that the data of given credit card was not accepted. (the reservation number of GDJN45747188)
- Expiration date – end – does the expiration date of the card finish until the date of the arrival registration?
- The reasonable balance – did the card have enough money on the card for reservation left?
- The type of the card – does the hotel accept such a type of the card?
You shouldn’t worry about it. Your hotel reservation is actually. However in order to guarantee its keeping, you have to refresh the credit card during 36 hours after this message receiving. Print the reservation, fill it in and fax to the hotel address. Print Booking Details [In my email the above is a link that does who-knows-what to my computer should I click it] More detailed information about the rules and payment conditions for reservation guaranteeing you can find in the letter which is sent after reservation.
theromanticmisogynist.com 
For years, I was a systems engineer working primarily on corporate email systems and my ‘specialty’ was spam… so when I see those kinds of emails in my inboxes, it really makes me roll my eyes – but not as much as knowing there are people who are actually fooled by these emails.
Like, American Airlines has no reason to write me about a problem paying for my ticket… when I know (1) I’m not in Los Angeles and (2) I have absolutely no reason to be going to Denver. And you’re right; emails like the one you mention are often translated from one language to English – and that stuff never makes sense.
But, as P. T. Barnum said, “There’s a sucker born every minute…”