The tip is to delete any email from someone telling you that you are a winner of money. Unless you have entered an actual competition ie on tv or on a well known website, then out of the blue emails promising thousands is a pipe dream. The same goes for those that ask for admin fees. I had a call a few months ago from some bloke that said I had won a holiday...I knew it was nonsense and kept him talking for 30 minutes at their cost. I enjoyed the laugh and he was very annoyed at the end.
Bank notifications are another one to stay away from. I must have had emails from just about every uk bank saying my account has been compromised or there is good news if I log in to see my balance. My tip is never ever click on any bank link within an email. Always type in the real web address from your bank.
The thing is, the guy in the story isn't alone. I've torn my hair out a few times where a friend or family member has said they have won a holiday or 50k from the baron of sultan or whatever. Those people are intelligent individuals. The problem is greed. They say love is blind but so is money.