E-mail Threat Masquerading Mrs. Gaddafi

The continued indecision in Libya has resulted to a new mail scam where the hackers claim to be the wife of beleaguered Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, as per the reports by GMA NEWS on August 31, 2011.

The Computer Security Firm, Sophos, stated that the email scam involves "Mrs. Gaddafi", second wife of Mr. Gaddafi offering $40 Million for protection.

Sophos' security expert, Chester Wisniewski, said on its blog that the incident is not surprising as every time, the hackers exploit major television spectacle, tragedy or news event for targeting the web users, as per the reports by naked security on August 28, 2011.

The email starts with an interesting subject line: From Safia Gaddafi, Please kindly open the attached file for more information. The message contained: PLEASE OPEN ATTACHMENT FOR MY LETTER TO YOU.

Other part of the letter reads like this "As you may be aware that my husband is presently facing difficulties in Libya." Further, the message appears authentic as the mailing address is shown as mrs.safiagadaffi2 AT gmail.com.

Wisniewski said that, naturally, to provide help he should need provide Mrs. Gaddafi with my name, address, age, occupation and cell phone number.

As per the Sophos advisory, the attachment followed the similar trick as evident from the Nigerian 419 scams. Although, it was a much brain storming scheme, it seemed to have been articulated on news reports from May, where it stated that Mrs. Gaddafi had 20 Tons of concealed gold, as per the reports by GNA NEWS on August 30, 2011.

Security experts informed that this is not the first time when this type of scam happened with Mr. Muammar Gaddafi. In April 2011, the Nigerian hackers have tried to rob people by posing as Safia Gaddafi and offering a million-dollar prize to escape a tortured marriage.

As per the Sophos recommendation users must not open any unknown attachments no matter how much they are popular. No one will send email as they have too much money and need assistance.

Related article: E-Crime Reporting Format To Be Launched in July

» SPAMfighter News - 9/8/2011