big time scam. like has been said, here, it can carry a trojan horse virus, and it is also used to get money from unsuspecting folks. it has been used with family names included, as well--always check with your family members to see if they did send the e-mail before you respond. if you can't reach them, don't assume that they are in trouble--check with other family members, or the local police.
in fact, with the advent of things like the "heritage" and "family tree" sites, it has become a lot easier to find out details of unsuspecting people, and scams are becoming much more intricate. be careful. be suspicious!
one of the things i teach my students (in anesthesia) also applies to every day life: "cultivate your paranoia. it will be your best friend. if something makes you suspicious or uncomfortable, it does so for a reason. follow it up. check it out. take it through. never ignore it."