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E-mail Scammers Target Ellen DeGeneres’ TV Program Fans

According to researchers from Sophos, ardent watchers of a popular TV talk show in USA -"The Ellen DeGeneres Show" that Ellen DeGeneres actress-cum-comedian hosts, are finding a trap within one especially malicious online scam.

The company, which released the details of the scam, says that someone created one Google mail account as also his profile on Facebook, although deceptively to appear as the celebrity's manager Eric Gold. The person subsequently put up advertisements online and dispatched bulk electronic mails to the star's fans, presenting an opportunity to attend the television program, along with a check amounting $3,000 for meeting his travel costs.

Reportedly, the fake electronic mail tells the recipient that he has been chosen for being on Ellen DeGeneres' TV talk show from amongst those listed on her Facebook Fan section. The selection follows from the remark the recipient made about the 'Halloween edition." Moreover, the e-mail says that incase the recipient would like to attend the show he can avail of a given offer, which includes all costs for the trip that Ellen is providing as a form of appreciation of the person being her follower. Eventually, the e-mail hurries the recipient to answer citing shortage of time.

But, the reply seeks his name, e-mail and postal addresses, and mobile-phone number following which he will get the promised fund for the travel.

Consequently, anybody who gets entrapped will receive a message from the scammer that tells him he's the 9th individual agreeing to attend the show, however, that merely 8 persons are to be chosen. Still an exception can be made if he, rather than hold on for getting the check, instantly transmits the same $3,000 through Western Union.

Clearly, after transmitting the money and receiving the check, the latter bounces.

Senior Technology Consultant Graham Cluley with Sophos remarks that the scammer against whom the producers of Ellen's show are trying for obtaining an injunction, are exploiting Facebook users who've declared personal fondness for the television program. Essentially, instead of providing an all-expenses journey for the Ellen show's filming, the e-mail recipients are just being fooled, Cluley adds. Nakedsecurity.sophos.com published this, December 15, 2011.

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

» SPAMfighter News - 12/26/2011

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