Many email scams try to trick users into providing personal information, but a new scam uses threats of violence to try to get into your pocketbooks.

The scam, which authorities have traced back to Singapore, gives generic information that 'a friend' has hired them to kill you unless you reply to the email and agree to send them $20,000.

Police say giveaways that it is a scam include poor spelling and grammar and the fact that no specific information is provided.