It's great that you received an email from the person directly to your main Gmail account. However, it's essential to be cautious and verify the authenticity of the email. Here are a few tips to help you determine if the email is real:
1. Check the Email Address: Verify that the email address from which the email was sent is authentic. Sometimes scammers use similar-looking email addresses to trick users.
2. Look for Grammar and Spelling Mistakes: Often, scam emails contain grammar and spelling errors. If you notice such mistakes, it may indicate that the email is not legitimate.
3. Avoid Clicking on Links: If the email contains any links, avoid clicking on them directly. Instead, hover over the link to see the actual URL. If it looks suspicious, do not click on it.
4. Don't Provide Personal Information: Be cautious about providing any personal information or sensitive data in response to the email.
5. Contact the Sender: If you're unsure about the authenticity of the email, consider reaching out to the sender through a different communication channel to verify if they indeed sent the email.
It's always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with emails that seem suspicious. If you have any doubts about the email you received, it's advisable to investigate further before taking any action.