Cancer Scam Hoax Email Impersonating NICE Targets Users

News.com.au reported on 14th March, 2014 stating that thousands of people are being worried, frightened and confused having received scam emails purporting to be from National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) of UK informing them that they have been diagnosed with cancer.

Especially, NICE is an organization which acts as an advisor to UK's National Health Service (NHS).

The horrible hoax email entitled: "IMPORTANT: Blood analysis result" and reads: "We have got a sample of your blood analysis for further research and during complete blood count (CBC) we have found very low white blood cells due to which we unfortunately suspect cancer."

People are then asked to take a print out of an attachment and visit their doctor.

44 year old Amanda Ford, a cancer survivor living in The Belfry, Stratton, UK was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 underwent a double mastectomy and got both her breasts removed during her battle with the disease hit out at the scammers.

Burtonmail.co.uk published a report on 14th March, 2014 quoting Amanda Ford as saying "I was shocked to hear what has been happening and it is truly disgusting and cruel act. I can't believe that people would want to do something so heartless because having cancer is one of the most tragic things that can happen and this scam is playing with people's lives."

She urged all people across the town to ignore the email.

Shetnews.co.uk published news on 13th March, 2014 quoting David Marsh, Trading Standards Manager as saying "Receiving such emails could be very worrying in itself but the real problem happens if you open the attachment to take print out of the result. Till now we don't know exactly how this particular malware may damage your computer but at least it is likely to disrupt operation of your computer and may steal login details and passwords."

NICE has denied any kind of involvement in sending this spam emails and described the hoax as "sickening" and has been fielding concerns on Twitter and also warned people on its website about such false messages.

» SPAMfighter News - 3/24/2014