Explore the latest news and trends  

Sign up for our weekly security newsletter


Be the first to receive important updates on security





Send

Phishing E-mail Cons Arizonian Woman

Better Business Bureau (Arizona, USA) has cautioned all people in the state as well as in the country after a lady named 'Sarah' was conned by online scammers.

The agency has revealed that an e-mail came to Sarah apparently from a friend, stating that her friend was in a grave problem and needed Sarah's assistance. The fake e-mail actually presented itself as if it had come from a Sarah's female friend. In addition, it gave details of a series of mishaps, which occurred with the friend in Nigeria, where she was robbed during her departure from a restaurant. Sarah's friend, who was on a vacation, lost her phone, plane ticket and passport to the thieves, the e-mail claimed.

The e-mail also indicated that the friend had used the hotel's PC to send an e-mail. The e-mail also explained that she needed to clear the hotel bills related to her stay there as well as she couldn't return home. Actually, the authorities from the region's embassy had declined to help her under the circumstances; therefore, she needed Sarah to lend her $2,475 so that she could pay her return travel and hotel expenses, the message read.

Sarah responded via return e-mail and asked her friend the necessary details for transferring the money through Western Union.

But within hours, Sarah's friend called Sarah saying that someone had hijacked her e-mail account. Consequently, her account had sent bulk messages to all the e-mail address on her contact list, requesting to them to send money.

Meanwhile, these online phishing scams are getting more-and-more frequent with each year as people in increasing numbers utilize the Internet.

However, on account of the incident with Sarah, security experts have suggested that if any online person receives an e-mail associated with Nigeria, he should simply ignore it. They can also forward the message to the local Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S Postal Inspection Service, or the U.S. Secret Service. The user can also contact the Consumer Sentinel of the Federal Trade Commission and lodge a complaint.

Finally, if anyone gets trapped into the mentioned type of scams, he should protect his bank account details so that any identity theft can be avoided.

Related article: Phishing With A Redirector Code

ยป SPAMfighter News - 1/18/2010

3 simple steps to update drivers on your Windows PCSlow PC? Optimize your Slow PC with SLOW-PCfighter!Email Cluttered with Spam? Free Spam Filter!

Dear Reader

We are happy to see you are reading our IT Security News.

We do believe, that the foundation for a good work environment starts with fast, secure and high performing computers. If you agree, then you should take a look at our Business Solutions to Spam Filter & Antivirus for even the latest version of Exchange Servers - your colleagues will appreciate it!

Go back to previous page
Next