Actually the concept of the original email isn't that far off. Senior Sentinel, an FBI operation aimed at targeting phone
scammers of the 90's, found that many of the old timers that had been bilked of their life savings were then offered
the wonderful opportunity to have it all given back for the low low price of $10K or whatever they had left or could borrow.
FWIW taking advantage of the elderly like that is right up there with animal abuse in my opinion.