Bristol MP’s Identity Hacked by Scammers

Cyber criminals are exploiting Bristol (Avon, UK) Member of Parliament Roger Berry's identity in a latest global Internet fraud scam. This scam is being carried out to trick unsuspecting netizens into revealing their bank details.

The details of this e-mail scam disclose an astounding story cooked up by cyber crooks to easily lure the netizens. It is said that the fake e-mail was sent to several people in the name of Mr. Berry, by means of which 419 scammers claim that Mr. Berry is having inheritance funds worth £3.5 Million.

To prove this fictitious message legitimate, the e-mail goes on revealing that the so-called inheritance funds date back to 1960, and the concerned benefactor was not informed about this. As a result, files related to the claim were discarded, but things have now been put into action to allow direct transfer of payment to the recipient's bank account. Further, the e-mail asks for recipient's personal details like name, age, profession, office and residence phone numbers, address and marital status.

When Mr. Berry came to know about this scam, he immediately informed the same to the parliamentary authorities, and requisite investigation started immediately. He strongly advised that anyone receiving such e-mail should immediately delete it, as reported by the thisisbristol.co.uk on September 21, 2009.

In the meantime, investigation is going on to catch the offender who has already fooled 30 people; all of them contacted Mr. Berry to confirm the claims made in the bogus e-mail.

The fabricated story that tricked e-mail recipients and thereby led scammers to access their e-mail accounts is merely another version of the prevalent e-mail scam story that online criminals rely upon most.

The most popular example of such a story is the "London Scam" story. In this particular ploy fabricated around renowned personalities by 419 scammers, it is claimed that while the celebrity has lost his/her passport, wallet and other valuables during a trip to London, and hence he/she is in need of urgent financial aid to return home. Generally, these scammers ask the celebrity's friends and acquaintances to send money via wiring services. Well-known singer Maura Flower has very recently been tricked by this scam.

Related article: Barracuda.A Bot Infects A Large Network of PCs To Initiate DDoS Attacks

» SPAMfighter News - 10/13/2009