Nigerian Scams, Late 2005
Here are a few notables from the second half od 2005 (July-December), and the rest will be found attached here in a ZIP file at the end of the year …
Nigerian late 2005.zip (399.4 KB)
More PayPal, Amazon, eBay, and Bank Phishing
HEre are more examples of phishing, where fake emails pretend to be banks or PayPal to get all your login, credit card, and bank information …
PayPal Advice
June 2005Dear Ken Stuczysnki,
10 Ways to Spot Spoof Protect yourself from fraudulent emails and fake websites. This type of fraud is commonly referred to as “spoof” or “phishing.” Take a few minutes to visit PayPal, and:
• Find out 10 ways to spot spoof • See what a spoof email may look like • Learn how you can fight spoofers
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=xpt/general/SecuritySpoof-outside
Examples of these phishing scams can be found on these forums HERE.
Nigerian Scams Early 2005
It was a brisk year for them apparently, because I may have to end the archive because of the time to maintain it, but here are the ones JUST FROM JANUARY … the rest are in the attached ZIP file.
Nigerian 2005 02to06.zip (278.5 KB)
Internet Lotteries
Yes, they are ALL fake. Every single one. I dare anyone to find an exception.
But just for laughs, here are a few, starting with the “Mother Theresa Lottery” with the message subject …
PRIZE WINING AWARD NITIFICATION!!!
MOTHER THERESA INTERNATIONAL GAME
C Don Jaime I nº11 2º
50.003 Madrid
SPAIN.Your Ref: MTHL 322 /OCT. /04 Date: 12-10-04
Our Ref:
MOTHER THERESA RANDOM PROMOTION
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are pleased to inform you of the result of our computer random selection for the Mother Theresa International Game held in October, 2004.Your email address attached to ticket number TGD/67-BO11748322 drew the lucky star number which consequently won the draw in the second category.
You have been approved for the star prize of Seven Hundred Thousand Euros (700,000.00 Euros).
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You are advised to keep this winning very confidential until you receive your lump prize in your account. This is a protective measure to avoid double claiming by people that you may tell.
Now convert your lottery winning notification into money here in Mother Theresa International Game: Just send your winning ticket number and your personal data to public relation officer Mr. AMANDO JULIO. this email address. [email=amandojulio@netscape.net]amandojulio@netscape.net[/email] for the processing of your claim. All prizes must be claimed within three monthsNOTE: If you are under the age of 18, you are automatically disqualified for this star prize..
Yours faithfully,
Mr. Armas Gonzalez.N.B: Any breach of confidentiality on the part of the winner will
result to disqualification. Please do not reply to this mail box.
Contact your claims agent immediately.———————————————-
This email is send by “Demo Software”
Especially Clever Phishing
The email stuck out like a sore thumb, but somehow I gravitated toward seeing if the scam site was still up.
Dear PayPal Member,
PayPal is committed to maintaining a safe environment for its community of buyers and sellers. To protect the security of your account, PayPal employs some of the most advanced security systems in the world and our anti-fraud teams regularly screen the PayPal system for unusual activity.
Recently, our Account Review Team identified some unusual activity in your account. In accordance with PayPal’s User Agreement and to ensure that your account has not been compromised, access to your account was flagged. Your account will remain flagged until this issue has been resolved. This is a fraud prevention measure meant to ensure that your account is not compromised.
In order to secure your account and quickly restore full access, we may require some specific information from you for the following reason:
Our system requires further account verification.
Case ID Number: PP-056-245-481 We encourage you to log in and restore full access as soon as possible. Should your account remain flagged for an extended period of time, it may result in further limitations on the use of your account or may result in eventual account closure.
————————————————————-
Please click on the link below to log in and restore full access to your account.
Click here to activate your account
————————————————————-Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this is a security measure meant to help protect you and your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
PayPal Email ID PP562
When I went to the site, I noticed the status bar showed a non-PayPal site as expected after an auto-forward, but look at the address line …
Misguided friends who use AOL
:blink: I am so frustrated with several of my friends, who use AOL. Thank God I never fell into the trap when I bought my first PC, about 7 years ago. My main gripe? Whenever I receive an email from any of them, it is ALWAYS an attachment, and I have to click numerous (as many as 8 to 10!!) times to open it. (after it has been scanned twice by my antivirus software, of course). It has come to the point where I delete most of their emails without even attempting to read them. Can anybody tell me why their emails are always sent in attachment form? Is this just an AOL quirk? I keep advising them to dump AOL, but they refuse. Thanks to anyone who can answer this for me.
Chat Scam!
This is the tail end of the chat that a “woman” who wanted to marry me after 5 minutes. All I had to do is send her a measly $200 for a new passport that she misplaced while on Holiday in ……WEST AFRICA..She claims she is an accountant for an international finance company her parents own…but she cannot afford to have her passport replaced…
This is after I blew her scam and inadvertantly closed the chat window before I saved it
mariagurl002 : so u think a good girl like me want to fruad u
mariagurl002 : i ahve my own job
kenc1959: I do not think you are a girl, I do not think you live in UK, you do not use ANY UK language
mariagurl002 : so i have no business with another person
mariagurl002 : what language do they use in uk
kenc1959: No LADY from a good family, with any social class, would ever ask a complete stranger for money
kenc1959: the first time they even talk to them
mariagurl002 : i did not ask u money <_<
kenc1959: you asked me to wesern union money for a passport
mariagurl002 : just that good if u told me that u can not afford the money it is a thing that my parent will give me
kenc1959: I have spoken with “women” from Russia, Poland, Chek Republic here all with the exact same thing, they need money for a passport
mariagurl002 : so just bcos our conversation that is why the passport matter came out
mariagurl002 : that is there own
mariagurl002 : those ones they want just eat your money
kenc1959: the only way I would believe you is if you came to Buffalo NY on your own accord and emailed me the flight # and seat # and I will pick you up and apologize to you
mariagurl002 : but me if you send me the money for passport i can even get usa visa and come and spen the remaining vacation with u
mariagurl002 : not that i want to fraud u
mariagurl002 : i just ask u
mariagurl002 : i have alot money :huh:
mariagurl002 : and ticket money is more more expensive than passport money u are talking about
kenc1959: you come here with your own passport and visa, I will marry you and make love to you for 7 days straight
mariagurl002 : i agree on that
mariagurl002 : on one condition
kenc1959: if you marry me you become a US citizen
mariagurl002 : really
kenc1959: yes
mariagurl002 : so can u send me the pasport money or not 😮
kenc1959: that must be worth more than a passport
mariagurl002 : no
kenc1959: you would not pay for your own passport to become a USCitizen?
mariagurl002 : just tell me how much u can afford ,and i will check if it can make a pssport money or not so i can include my money to complete it
kenc1959: I do not have enough money to pay my rent
kenc1959: can you western uion 500 dollars to me so we have a place to live?
kenc1959: certainly you can afford that, you vacation for 6 weeks
mariagurl002 : kool
mariagurl002 : i will do that
mariagurl002 : give me your information
mariagurl002 : where i can send it
kenc1959: Tops – Thruway Mall
700 Thruway Plaza Dr
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Store Phone: 716-929-0380
kenc1959: you have to tell me the name you are sending it from and make a pin code so I can Identify it
mariagurl002 : but you can not send me money but you want me to send u
kenc1959: YES
mariagurl002 : okay
mariagurl002 : can u send me 200us dollar
kenc1959: I will once you send me 500 US Dollars
mariagurl002 : no
mariagurl002 : u send me 200us dollar
kenc1959: I need it for my rent or we cannot get married
mariagurl002 : yes
kenc1959: you send me 500 US Dollars, I pay my rent, then I send you 200 us dollars so you get your passport
kenc1959: then you can come here to Buffalo , marry me and become a US Citizen
mariagurl002 : u first send me 200 us dollar
kenc1959: you send me 723 British pounds them
mariagurl002 : u send me first
kenc1959: you send me first
mariagurl002 : no
mariagurl002 : send first
kenc1959: you come here and I will hand it to you
mariagurl002 : no
mariagurl002 : send it
mariagurl002 : how much is 200 us dollar
mariagurl002 : just change
mariagurl002 : and u cannot afford it
kenc1959: thats 5 days work for me
mariagurl002 : okay
kenc1959: thats about 3 hours work for an accountant
mariagurl002 : okay
kenc1959: are you going to pay my rent?
mariagurl002 : yes
kenc1959: I have a better idea. You send me money for a passport, and a plane ticket and I will come there to marry you. you will still become a US Citizen
mariagurl002 : dont worry
mariagurl002 : i will send u 500 us dollar
kenc1959: I will go pick it up tomorrow
mariagurl002 : yap
kenc1959: you can email me the information
mariagurl002 : bye
mariagurl002 : see u tommorow
mariagurl002 : take care
kenc1959: good night my love
I am sure there will be another episode, “she” saved my profile……[COLOR=blue]
Identity Theft
This was sent to me by my primary attorney in an email, passed along through cyberspace, but helpful information regardless of source:
—————————–
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE — NO CHARGE
Read this and make a copy for your files in case you need to refer to it someday. Maybe we should all take some of his advice! A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put “PHOTO ID REQUIRED”.
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the “For” line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check processing channels won't have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks. (DUH!) You can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone can get it.
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy of my passport when I travel either here or abroad. We've all heard horror stories about fraud that's committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have firsthand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieve(s) ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important of all: (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the 3 national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away This weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet, etc., has been stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
Abbott and Costello
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's infamous sketch “Who's on first?” might have turned out something like this today:
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT.
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look in the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What have you got?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, lets just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue “W”
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue “w” if you don't start with some straight answers. OK, forget that. Can I watch movies on the Internet?
ABBOTT: Yes, you want Real One.
COSTELLO: Maybe a real one, maybe a cartoon. What I watch is none of your business Just tell me what I need!
ABBOTT: Real One.
COSTELLO: If it's a long movie I also want to see reel 2, 3 & 4. Can I watch them?
ABBOTT: Of course.
COSTELLO: Great! With what?
ABBOTT: Real One.
COSTELLO: OK, I'm at my computer and I want to watch a movie. What do I do?
ABBOTT: You click the blue “1”.
COSTELLO: I click the blue one what?
ABBOTT: The blue “1”.
COSTELLO: Is that different from the blue w?
ABBOTT: The blue “1” is Real One and the blue “W” is Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: But there's three words in “office for windows”!
ABBOTT: No, just one. But it's the most popular Word in the world.
COSTELLO: It is?
ABBOTT: Yes, but to be fair, there aren't many other Words left. It pretty much wiped out all the other Words out there.
COSTELLO: And that word is real one?
ABBOTT: Real One has nothing to do with Word. Real One isn't even part of Office.
COSTELLO: STOP! Don't start that again. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
A FEW DAYS LATER . . .
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on “START”……….
{author unknown}