Cybercriminals Exploited UK’s Anti–Piracy Bill through New Spam Campaigns

The UK's anti-piracy bill, DEA has provided fraudsters with innovative ideas on ways of deceiving innocent individuals the transaction of their money. After the release of Initial obligations Code by Office of Communication (OFCOM), users started witnessing the dubious e-mails in their inboxes, as published in a report by Softpedia on 9th July, 2012.

On 9th July, 2012 HELP NET SECURITY published a report about a suspicious email which reads with the subject 'consequences for violating law'. The mail notifies the user about illegitimate access of Internet leading to illegal acts and hence severe violation. Detailing on the illegal access, it accuses the user that the Internet access has been made to make available, reproduce or access copyright and protect materials allowing illegal consultation and reproduction of the materials without your consent. As such these violated acts and reproductions are normally called 'pirating' and comprise a legal violation which is punishable under law."

The email further declares that the usage of the internet connection could have also occurred without the knowledge of the user and the subject could also not be legally accountable for any usage made from your internet connection. It is however the responsibility of the user to control any such installation and make it inaccessible for any other party.

After itemizing all the "crimes" the recipient is accountable for, the crooks to provide them with opportunity fair chance of avoiding any legal actions by asking the recipient to pay a fine of 63 Euros or $77 or 50 pounds via UKASH, an e-payment system popular with crooks within 5 days.

At a first glance, the claim appears to be genuine due to its official logo and the money indicated is close to the one offered by OFCOM. The e-mail also uses a fake official legislation.gov.uk. e mail address to add an official air to the threat and also included a link to official documents of DEA.

Security experts analyzing the fake e-mail comment that a closer look shows many grammatical mistakes in the mail.

Finally, the experienced internet users may recognize the fake email but there are always new users who are not able to spot the scams. If you know some of them, this is the perfect time to warn them about this one.

Related article: Cheburgen.a: A New Email Worm

» SPAMfighter News - 7/19/2012