Littleton Attorney - The Latest Victim of Nigerian Scam

According to the news published by 9NEWS on December 24, 2008, an Attorney of Littleton has been the most recent victim of a Nigerian Internet scam.

The reports state that some friends of Attorney Jim McDonough of Littleton called him on December 21, 2008 after receiving of an urgent, but fraudulent e-mail from his ID. McDonough says that his friend made telephone calls to find out if he was okay.

Further, the spoofed message claims that McDonough is in Nigeria and some armed robbers had stolen his money, as per the reports. The message then asks the recipients to wire $3,000 or any other amount possible so that McDonough could clear the bill of his hotel expenses and return to his home in the United States. Finally, it says that McDonough would immediately repay the amount once he is back home.

Soon after the e-mail, McDonough tried to access his Windows Live account, but he found that his password and other account details were all changed, and the hacker had added a Brooklyn, New York address as well as a different date-of-birth. All these appeared to be the reasons why McDonough had his PC checked for malicious software, and has been notifying every person on his e-mail address list.

McDonough feels that some malicious software had taken over his computer that enabled criminals to gain access to the system and use his e-mail address list to distribute fake e-mails.

Furthermore, following the incident, McDonough cancelled his credit cards, engaged a technician to clean his computer off the unwanted software, and sent e-mail informing his friends that he is at his home in Littleton. In addition, McDonough contacted the office of the local attorney and reported the incident.

Although no one has been the victim of the scam as yet, still officials recommend a few tips to people to aid them in protecting themselves. These tips include users should avoid e-mails from unknown senders, and do not send money through wire to anyone without confirming before hand that the person in the deal is genuine.

» SPAMfighter News - 1/2/2009