2010 FIFA World Cup Lottery Scam Returns: BBB

With the 2010 FIFA World Cup round the corner, online scammers are making every possible attempt to deceive Internet users. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is cautioning users in Canada to be aware of the recent online scam intended to trick soccer fans so as to steal their identities.

According to BBB President, Kim States, considering the immense popularity of Soccer and with the World Cup about to begin in a few days, lottery scam related to the world cup is making a comeback, as per the news published by Tucson Citizen.com on May 18, 2010.

This time the lottery scam involves an e-mail that invites users to participate in a lottery that is sponsored by FIFA and the South African and Canadian governments. To partake in this lottery, users are asked to furnish their personal details, which could be exploited to steal their identity or access their bank accounts.

Lynda Pasacreta, spokesperson for the BBB, admitted that the scam may appear genuine, but certainly it's too good to be legitimate, reported News1130 on May 18, 2010.

Pasacreta explained that the user may receive an e-mail with an attachment. Opening the attachment means that the user is exposing his PC to viruses. Then he is asked for some personal information that may result in his identity being stolen.

As per the news published by cbc.ca on May 18, 2010, Lynda Pasacreta said that scammers use words that are so familiar to the users like "FIFA" and then to give the scam a touch of authenticity, they abuse the Canadian Government also. It is just enough for any gullible user to give away some identity theft information to the scammers.

Most importantly, this nefarious game doesn't stop here, but provides entry to several other fake offers as the victim's name is included in a "sucker list" that is bought and sold by fraudsters.

Security firm Trend Micro too warned netizens of a scam of similar kind. Thus, the only way to avoid such attacks is to remain cautious and not to reply back to the lottery e-mail.

Related article: “Loopholes did not cause online banking thefts”: ICBC

» SPAMfighter News - 5/29/2010