The best advice when it comes to email is never to open one from an address you are not familiar with. This will prevent you from exposing your computer to any viruses or more unwanted or "spam" mail. You should delete, and/or if possible, set up a separate inbox for unsolicited messages.
If the email you received is from an acquaintance, check the validity of it at the following link: Snopes
If for any reason, it's a newer scam and not listed on the site above, use common sense. Chances are, if it sounds too good to be true, it is.
Internet Search Engines:
Google
Yahoo.
Internet Scam News:
Scambusters
Cyberfraud.
Financial Aid
Scholarship Scams
Nigeria
Internet Fraud Complaint Center
