Unable to forgive or forget

ttgran A phishing email is to gain financial information.

I assume you mean he has tried lots of variations of your email address and hit lucky.

I would just like to say that his childhood may have been very different to yours, my brother had a wonderful childhood, everything he wished for, public school education, he was showered with material possessions and adored.

I was like Cinderella, the scapegoat child, I was physically and mentally abused and very much treated as a second class citizen.

I think you should allow your brother a hearing, he may be wanting to apologise, he could be seriously ill.
You may regret not giving him the opportunity.

I agree with Ooops and think you are right, It would be very hard to reconnect with your brother after so many decades, even if he is sorry, it’s just too late. Things can never be the same after all that has gone on,

I have a similar situation with my sibling so do understand.

With him, not me.

Go with your gut, I did.

I knew that if my brother had ever contacted me I wouldn’t be able to sit down and have a calm conversation with me over the way he treated my Mother and his behaviour after she died.

If you feel the same way then IMO there is no point in answering his email.

Just get on with your life rather than stir all the old hatred up again.

If it was me, out of curiosity I would make contact, if only to get an explanation of why he decided to go no contact with your Mum. If you don't like what you hear or feel anger towards him, you could always tell him, thanks, but no thanks.