Geeks Bearing Gifts

Discussion of web ethics, in particular Spam, Scams, Viruses, Pop-Ups & Spyware, AOL, and File Sharing

AOLers’ Feedback

{Circa 2004}

From an old email …

…I can’t send anything on this maniacal system! When I went to KEYWORD TECH SUPPORT A O L Kentropolis came up and that’s how I found you. You’re what comes up for “tech”. Sorry I bothered you. By the way, regarding the 2 servers you suggested….aol will not allow Surfree’s page to be displayed. I was denied access to it. So much for “life, liberty, & pursuit ” Thanks very much.

Kudos to us!

Hi, My name is Mark Smith. When I was researching a problem I had with AOL, I by-chance came across your AOL email archive and subsequently your other websites making fun of AOL. I have to tell you that I greatly enjoyed it. I don’t think I’ve laughed so much at some of the most foolish problems that people have emailed too you and requested assistance in fixing. Especially when your not even affiliated with AOL. Now I suppose I should fess up that I am an AOL user, but completely agree with everthing you said. In fact I use AOL just to log on then minimize it and immediately open IE. If I didn’t use my parents AOL account, I myself would not use it. But I did not know that AOL could cause system instabilities which would probably account for alot of the unexplainable errors I have had in the past. But I didn’t not read anything about if AOL 8.0 causes problems like its earlier counterparts? I would be very curious to know if it does? Maybe I can use the information too coax my mother to finally switch. I appoligize for using your companies email tech support page to get this to you. I just felt that I had to give you a couple of pats on the back for being as gracious and patient in dealing with all the aol tech support that you have given out. Plus that I greatly enjoyed your website. Hopefully you can expand on it as you get the time. Thank you for the laughs and the valuable information. Mark Smith II

New Scam – DNS Services in Vancouver, WA

Just got this from a doctor client of mine, who could not find the part about not being a bill among all the content and layout indicating it was a bill.

Maybe Obama is actually Nigerian …

The permutations are endless, but some really catch the eye. :p

From: OBAMA’S FOUNDATION [info@america.gov]
Subject: Scam Victims!!!

Greetings to you,
On behalf of the Obama’s Foundation, we wish to notify you as a beneficiary of $99,000.00 USD in compensation of scam victims.Do contact HSBC INTERNATIONAL BANK, United Kingdom Branch for verification and release of your $99,000.00 USD that we have deposited with the HSBC BANK,UK.
 
The account log on will be presented to you by the bank in order to access the funds before releasing into your nominated bank account. You will transfer the funds into your nominated account on-line as the HSBC BANK,UK will provide the necessary information to you. We have taken care of the cost of transfer (C.O.T) and the VAT.Please if you are willing to accept the funds, do contact the Managing Director of the HSBC BANK,UK with the following details: You are to fill the appropriate form and submit to the bank.
[1] Full Names:________________
[2] Contact address______________________________
[3] Direct Telephone No: ___________________
|4| Occupation : ____________________________
[5] Age :_______________
{6} Marital Status:_______________
Managing Director of the HSBC BANK,UK
Name: Mrs. Roseline Wood
Private Email: [email]mrsroselinewood@aim.com[/email]
 
Yours Faithfully,
Dr.Caravan Marvis
Co-ordinator.
OBAMA’S FOUNDATION

Best. Scam. Email. Evar.

Just read it — it’s titled “SCAM VICTIM,”
(screenshot attached)

Nigerian LETTER – Actual MAIL

Check it out (attached)

Western Union?

This is the most interesting scam I’ve seen. Not clever, but almost cheesy.

[SIZE=2][COLOR=#000000] [/COLOR][/SIZE]
Western Union Payments

FROM OFFICE OF THE WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER.
COTONOU BENIN REPUBLIC/ADDRESS 455 AGBOKOU,ANKPA ROAD
OPPOSITE TUNDE MOTORS COTONOU.
WEB
SITE.www.westernunion.comhttp://site.www.westernunion .com/

ATTENTION BENEFICIARY,

This is to notify all our clients about the latest development concerning all the payment that are left in our custody. which yours are inclusive Besides, your where given a bill of $275.00. in order to receive your payment of which we didn’t hear from you for sometime now.

Hence, our Western Union is now offering a Special bonus to help all our customers that are having their payment in our custody due to because of price. in order words we are now requesting that those involved should pay only the sum of $75. 00 to receive all their payment abandoned in our custody.

Besides, my dear, this is the opportunity for you to comply and your funds shall be transfer to your destination address.Your MTCN number is:
SENDER… NAME… JOSEPH CHUKWURAH
MTCN…….. 714-164-4235

But remember that after (3 DAYS) you did not make the payment then we will divert your funds to govement fund avoid problem or we will cancel the payment for this year untill next year because this year is not last year,

Again after (THREE DAYS ) We will enter A new project for the year and that is the reason we decide to help to all our customers before we enter the new project

So be advise to send the $75.00 immediately so that we will register your payment and for you to start receiveing $7.000.00 as from today. Be advise that there is no time again for we to call any person on phone unless you will call Dr. James Mark: Phone:+229-93401388, so kindly send this $75,00 to this
Email: (
[EMAIL=westerunion_moneytransfer@msn.com]westerunion_moneytransfer@msn.com[/EMAIL])
After the payment of $75.00 you will start receiveing your money every day $7.000.00 through western union until your final payment of $1.5m.000usd.

Send the money through Western Union Money Transfer with the information below:
1. Receiver Name :=======Olando Cyril.
2. City/Country:==========Cotonou – Benin Republic.

3. Question=============God

4. Answer:=============Bless

5. Amonut:=============US$75.00
Forward the payment control number, sender name and address after sending to enable us pick up the money in this Department office here.([EMAIL=westerunion_moneytransfer@msn.com]westerunion_moneytransfer@msn.com[/EMAIL])

Waiting to receive our charges so that we can release your payment on hold for you to receive your first payment immediately.

I wish you good luck.

[B][U][SIZE=4][COLOR=#b27c51]REGARDS

DR.MARK JAMES.
FORIGN OPERATION MANAGER
[COLOR=#888888]WESTERN UNION OFFICE BENIN REPUBLIC,
[/COLOR]
[/COLOR][/SIZE][/U][/B]

Lookee Here … even in my email.

From a now dead domain name “domainnotice.com”:

DOMAIN NOTICE

Attention: Important Notice

Complete and return by fax to:

1-646-385-7542

47-47 36th Street #16452

Long Island City, NY 11101

United States of America

ATT: REBECCA XXXXX

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTACT

I NEED AN ANGEL

[EMAIL=MASTER@KENTROPOLIS.COM]MASTER@KENTROPOLIS.COM[/EMAIL]

WWW.INEEDANANGEL.ORG

Domain Name: INEEDANANGEL.ORG

Search Engine Submission

Requested Reply

March 24[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif],2009

[/FONT]

[LEFT]PART I: REVIEW SOLICITATION
Attn: REBECCA XXXXX
As a courtesy reminder, we are sending you this notification for your business Domain name search engine registration. This letter is to inform you that it’s time to send in your registration and save.

Failure to complete your Domain name search engine registration by the expiration date may result in cancellation of this offer making it difficult for your customers to locate you on the web.

Privatization allows the consumer a choice when registering. Search engine subscription includes domain name search engine submission. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated below unless you accept this offer. Do not discard, this notice is not an invoice it is a courtesy reminder to register your domain name search engine listing so your customers can locate you on the web.

This Notice for: WWW.INEEDANANGEL.ORG will expire on March 24,2009 Act today!

————————————————————————————————————————–

DETAIL OF SERVICE: ANNUAL WEBSITE SEARCH ENGINE SUBMISSION FOR DOMAIN NAME WWW.INEEDANANGEL.ORG

Detail of Service:
SEARCH SUBMISSIONS
Reply by Date:
3/24/2009
For Domain Name:
INEEDANANGEL.ORG

*100% SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK

Select [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Term[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Your Existing Domain[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Period Covered[/SIZE][/FONT][FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Price[/SIZE][/FONT] INEEDANANGEL.ORG [ ] 1 year 3/24/2009 – 3/24/2010$75.00 [ ] 2 year 3/24/2009 – 3/24/2011$119.00 [ ] 5 year 3/24/2009 – 3/24/2014$199.00 [ ] 10 year 3/24/2009 – 3/24/2019$295.00 Please ensure that your contact information is correct or make the necessary changes.Full Name: REBECCA XXXXXEmail: MASTER@KENTROPOLIS.COM Today’s Date: _______________________Signature:: _______________________PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN BY FAX: 1-646-385-7542

————————————————————————————————————————–

By accepting this offer, you agree not to hold DN liable for any part. Note that THIS IS NOT A BILL. This is a solicitation. You are under no obligation to pay the amounts stated unless you accept this offer. The information in this letter contains confidential and/or legally privileged information from the notification processing department of the DN. This information is intended only for the use of the individual(s) named above. If you do not wish to receive further updates from DN send an email to [EMAIL=wdsrv850@operamail.com]wdsrv850@operamail.com[/EMAIL] to unsubscribe. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents for this letter is strictly prohibited. * 100% satisfaction guaranteed, you may request a refund within 30 days.

[/LEFT]

Spamku – Computer generated!

I came across this form spam, from this very forum. I don’t know what made me read insterad of delete it, but take out the link code, add line breaks, and you have it:

Our love,
so natural,
wait a minute,
jessica alba butt
no idea.

If the culmination of Man’s technology to date is this one written creation, it was worth it. 😀

Fooled Me Once … Classmates.Com?

I never expected this, but I should have {sigh}.

From: Classmates Messagebox#031 [invitation465@classmates.com]
Subject: Congratulations! Classmates Invitation.

Dear Classmates customer.
Classmates Day 2009 soon!

Video Invitation from your Classmates “2009 Classmates Day Announcement!” prepared to view.
Reunite Your High School Classmates and Celebrate This Day!
Your Classmates Are Waiting to Hear From You!

Proceed to view Your invitation now>>

With best regards, Olive Koch.
Copyright 1995-2008 Classmates Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

It didn’t make sense, but I played along and it asked me to install an Active X or Flash plug-in. The warning asked me if I should trust software from “Classmates.Com” and I hit yes. Fortunately, a second pop-up (Spybot Search & Destroy, I think) warned me also, just as it dawned on me that someone could have spoofed the install dialog box’s company name.

Sure enough, check where the link really goes … something I should have done in the first place!

New Domain Sales Scam?

Recently, my clients and I have been receiving emails from China, probably trying to sell alterante top level domains under the guise of protecting your brand. In other words, if you own blahblah.com, they try to sell you blahblah.net by making you think another copmpany will be buying it up.

Note this friendly warning from an “authorized anti-cyber squatting organization” is worded as a “confirmation request” …

[FONT=Tahoma][B]From:[/FONT][/B][FONT=Tahoma] [EMAIL=shannon@ha-zd.org]shannon@ha-zd.org[/EMAIL] [mailto:shannon@ha-zd.org]
[B]Sent:[/B] Sunday, October 12, 2008 11:10 PM
[B]To:[/B] [EMAIL=loupeinfo@eagleoptical.com]loupeinfo@eagleoptical.com[/EMAIL]
[B]Subject:[/B] Eagleoptical domain name registration con firmation request
[B]Importance:[/B] High
[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Dear Sir or Madam:[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman]We received a formal application from a company who is called Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is applying to register ” eagleoptical” their domain name in Asia as well as in Europe on Oct 10th, 2008. During our auditing procedure we find out that the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd has no trade mark, brand nor patent even similar to that word. As an authorized anti-cyber squatting organization we hereby suspect the alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd to be a domain grabber. Hence we need your confirmation for two things:[/FONT]

[FONT=’Times New Roman’]First of all, whether this alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd is your business partner or distributor in [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Secondly, whether you are interested in registering these domains (The alleged Saibo Investment Co.,Ltd will be entitled to obtain a domain not needed by original trademark owner.)[/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]If you are not in charge of this please transfer this email to appropriate dept.[/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]This is a letter for confirmation. If the mentioned third party is your business partner or distributor in China please DO NOT reply. We will automatically confirm application from your business partner after this audit procedure.[/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Best Wishes [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Shannon[/FONT][FONT=’Times New Roman’] [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Registration Commissioner [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Beijing[/FONT][FONT=’Times New Roman’] HUAAO Science and Technology Co., Ltd[/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Tel: +86-10-82772601 [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Fax: +86-10-82773610 [/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Email:shannon@ha-zd.org[/FONT]
[FONT=’Times New Roman’]Http://www.ha-zd.org

[/FONT][FONT=’Times New Roman’][/FONT]