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#260253 - Mon Mar 07 2005 04:31 AM Fraudulent e.mails
picqero Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Tue Dec 28 2004
Posts: 2813
Loc: Hertfordshire<br>England UK
I quite regularly receive bogus requests purporting to come from banks, credit card agencies, etc, asking me to "update my personal details". I recognise these as fraudulent, and delete them. I also occasionally receive mail, usually from african sources, asking me to help someone who has received a large legacy or other sum of money, and who wants help to transfer it to a western bank account. These of course are similarly fraudulent attempts to get one's personal bank details and get deleted. Rather than just deleting them, is there any organisation they could be sent to which is involved in tracing these international frauds and scams.

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#260254 - Mon Mar 07 2005 04:46 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
ren33 Offline
Moderator

Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999
Posts: 12593
Loc: Kowloon Tong  Hong Kong      
I have forwarded some to my local police, and told the sender I have done so. There was a case which used a HK bank's name in the letter,and they thanked me and caught the person. However, I don't think there is a lot else one can do.
_________________________
Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.

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#260255 - Mon Mar 07 2005 04:49 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
ozzz2002 Online   FT-cool
Moderator

Registered: Mon Dec 03 2001
Posts: 20912
Loc: Sydney
NSW Australia
These emails are so prevalent that there is even a name for the practice- phishing.

If anyone has a way of stopping them completely, I will be ecstatic- I get about three or four a week!

I usually just delete them, without even opening them.

Do NOT, repeat NOT reply, unless you want to go broke
_________________________
The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.

Ex-Editor, Hobbies and Sports, and Forum Moderator

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#260256 - Mon Mar 07 2005 10:21 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
fjohn Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999
Posts: 2742
Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West
Surprisingly, I haven't received any e-mail with these phishing scams. But, I do get a lot for cheap medications from Canada.
Several years ago I received a letter via post office from Nigeria requesting help in getting millions of dollars out of the country. All they wanted was my bank account number to transfer the funds and I would receive 30 percent for my efforts.
I think that the FBI has a web site for reporting these scams. If not, the state police should be notified.
_________________________
Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.

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#260257 - Mon Mar 07 2005 04:11 PM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
bloomsby Offline
Moderator

Registered: Sun Apr 29 2001
Posts: 4095
Loc: Norwich England�UK���ï...
Which of the firewalls and anti-virus "kits" also have "anti-phish"? As far as I recall, I activated "anti-phish". I've had some bizarre emails but no phish, I'm glad to say.

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#260258 - Mon Mar 07 2005 06:31 PM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
fjohn Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999
Posts: 2742
Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West
I don't think that an anti-phishing fire wall will ever be developed because it would have to interpret the intentions of the sender.
We use many words every day that are contained in the titles and message text of these e-mails. The only way to currently stop them is to block the sender's address. They just change one letter or number in the return address and they have spammed you again!
_________________________
Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.

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#260259 - Thu Mar 10 2005 09:58 PM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
SRSTrekker Offline
Enthusiast

Registered: Tue Sep 14 2004
Posts: 202
Loc: Arizona USA
Hey, maybe we should put fjohn's email out on the internet so he can start getting these emails like the rest of us!

As far as reporting them, when I first started getting them, I forwarded the entire email to abuse @ (domainname.extension). That's what people suggested, but that didn't help. Not that I was expecting it too. These people sending these emails can change the from address quicker than you can do anything about it. These scam artists always have tricks up their sleeves, and it's hard to get even one step ahead of them a lot of the time.

I would just recommend what everyone else has said. If you just delete them WITHOUT opening them, that's the best way. Sometimes (at least I've heard they could do this), the emails have some sort of signal or something so the spammer knows someone opened the email, thus confirming your email address exists. So that's why it's better not to open them if you can help it.

Oh, and fjohn, I was just kidding......I certainly wouldn't do that, even if you asked me to!
_________________________
SRSTrekker --"Fate protects fools, little children, and ships named Enterprise." ~ Riker

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#260260 - Thu Mar 10 2005 10:31 PM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
fjohn Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Mon Dec 06 1999
Posts: 2742
Loc: Wyoming USA Way Out West
I have 2 e-mail accounts, one for friends and relatives only, the other for any casual contacts with businesses or service providers who won't do business without an e-mail contact address.
The account that is virtually open to any spamming is cleaned every day by simply block/deleting with only a cursory glance to see who the mail is from.
The 2 account system works for me.
_________________________
Some days it just doesn't seem worth trying to chew through the restraints.

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#260261 - Wed Mar 16 2005 10:56 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
picqero Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Tue Dec 28 2004
Posts: 2813
Loc: Hertfordshire<br>England UK
I have several e.mail accounts used for different purposes. A couple use names which are not normal first or surnames, and these don't get any spam or phish mail. My main e.mail account is given out only to close friends and close business contacts but still gets about 20 or so spam mails per day - about 30 - 40% of which like fjohn are from Canadian medication companies - or at least purport to be. I never open these, and have set up Outlook Express such that mail from anyone not in my address book is delivered in red type, so instantly recognisable and deleted en bloc without opening. My yahoo named account is the one which gets the most spam or phishing, but is set to deliver these mails to a 'bulk mail' anti-spam folder where it is auto-deleted. I can and sometimes do, look at some of these mails, but there is a facility to mark them as unread.
Re. the fraud 'Nigerian' mail I forward these now to my local County Police. Who knows, it might do some good!

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#260262 - Mon Mar 21 2005 03:09 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
achernar Offline
Prolific

Registered: Fri Jun 06 2003
Posts: 1336
Loc: Mumbai India                  
It seems the spammers have started diversifying:

Quote:


Date: Sun, 20 Mar 2005 10:13:30 +0400
From: Mrs. Suha A. <ssuha43@hotmail.com>
Reply-To: sssuha_43@yahoo.ca
To: removed
Subject: SALAAM / GREETINGS

Dear Friend,

I am Mrs. Suha Arafat, the wife of Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader who died recently in Paris. Since his death and even prior to the announcement, I have been thrown into a state of antagonism, confusion, humiliation, frustration and hopelessness by the present leadership of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and the new Prime Minister. I have even been subjected to physical and psychological torture. As a widow that is so traumatized, I have lost confidence with everybody in the country at the moment.

You must have heard over the media reports and the Internet on the discovery of some fund in my husband secret bank account and companies and the allegations of some huge sums of money deposited by my husband in my name of which I have refuses to disclose or give up to the corrupt Palestine Government.

In fact the total sum allegedly discovered by the Government so far is in the tune of about $6.5 Billion Dollars. And they are not relenting on their effort to make me poor for life. As you know, the Moslem community has no regards for woman, more importantly when the woman is from a Christian background, hence my desire for a foreign assistance.

I have deposited the sum of 21 million dollars with a Security financial firm in whose name is withheld for now until we open communication. I shall be grateful if you could receive this fund into your bank account for safe keeping and Investment opportunity. This arrangement will be known to you and I alone and all our correspondence should be strictly on email alone because our government has tapped all my lines and are monitoring all my moves.

In view of the above, if you are willing to assist for our mutual benefits, we will have to negotiate on your Percentage share of the $21,000,000 that will be kept in your position for a while and invested in your name for my trust pending when my Daughter, Zahwa, will come off age and take full responsibility of her Family Estate/inheritance. Please, if you are honest, I am going to entrust more funds in your care as this is one of the legacy we keep for our children. In case you don't accept please do not let me out to the security and international media as I am giving you this information in total trust and confidence I will greatly appreciate if you accept my proposal in good faith and send to me your complete personal contact information.

May God bless you and your household.

Yours sincerely,

Suha Arafat
Reply to sssuha_43@yahoo.ca />


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#260263 - Mon Mar 21 2005 04:14 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
ren33 Offline
Moderator

Registered: Thu Sep 30 1999
Posts: 12593
Loc: Kowloon Tong  Hong Kong      
They caught and imprisoned one of the Nigerian scammers here in HK last week. Great news.The police hid while the Nigerian made a deal with a woman intended victim, who handed over the 'deposit'in fake notes.
_________________________
Wandering aimlessly through FT since 1999.

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#260264 - Thu May 05 2005 02:54 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
damnsuicidalroos Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Mon Feb 10 2003
Posts: 2167
Loc: Sydney
NSW Australia
Quote:

FROM: BARR. MOHAMMED DUKO


PERSONAL & CONFIDENTIAL

ATTN: THE MANAGING DIRECTOR.

Dear Sir,

PROVISION OF BANK ACCOUNT TO DEPOSIT FUNDS.
I am Barrister MOHAMMED DUKO, principal attorney to Engr.Tony Douglas a Director and project implementation with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation based in Warri, Delta State.

In November 2002, my client received gratification of Eighteen Million U.S Dollars($18,000,000.00) from the contract awarded to foreign firms for the construction and maintenance of 250 Million (LPG) Gas Plant at Warri Refinery. Hence the fund is under the custody of Security Company for safe– keeping. I have been mandated by my client (Engr.
Tony Douglas) to seek assistance of a trustworthy foreign company or an individual who could help to provide bank account to receive the money for investment without any hitch.

However, my client has agreed to will sure 20% of the sum to you, while 5% is set aside for expenses. Therefore, if this offer acceptable to you.

please indicate your interest by contacting me on my email address for further documentation and briefing.

I look forward to haring from you soon.

Best regar
BARR MOHAMMED DUKO





I`m not sure if I will play around with this low-life or just delete his message. Sometimes I mess with these people for a while and maybe I might get this ones hopes up.
I think he wants to know of my success in rabbit hunting as well or perhaps wants me to send him a rabbit.
_________________________
Responds to stimuli, tries to communicate verbally, follows limited commands, laughs or cries in interaction with loved ones.

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#260265 - Sun May 08 2005 06:41 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
picqero Offline
Multiloquent

Registered: Tue Dec 28 2004
Posts: 2813
Loc: Hertfordshire<br>England UK
Quote:


I`m not sure if I will play around with this low-life or just delete his message. Sometimes I mess with these people for a while and maybe I might get this ones hopes up.
I think he wants to know of my success in rabbit hunting as well or perhaps wants me to send him a rabbit.




I take your point, and it could be nice to waste their time and effort, even to build up their hopes before dashing them. trouble is they'll probably give your name to their pals who are in the same business and you'll just get more of the same.
Your remarks on 'rabbit hunting' made me smile - might be a better idea to get his address and send a decomposing rabbit!

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#260266 - Thu Sep 15 2005 01:36 AM Re: Fraudulent e.mails
Brinjal Offline
Participant

Registered: Thu Feb 05 2004
Posts: 15
Loc: ZIMBABWE
Those Nigerian emails have been going around for years and anyone who even thinks of replying to them deserve all they get. It starts out by saying that what they are proposing is illegal so only dishonest people would consider becoming involved. I received on asking for donations in forgeign currency to assist in relocating horses which had been abandoned on farms during the land seisures here in Zimbabwe. When I replied that rather than give money I would send my lorry to transport the horses to what ever destination they would like I didnt get a reply. These scams come in various forms and should be reported to the authorities

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Moderator:  ren33