Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Dawes: Pair of Thieves

I hate scammers, but that’s not new news. One of the things I hate most about them is their desperation to prove their legitimacy. They link themselves to tragedies, success stories, legitimate organizations, and the like to help prove they are who they claim they are. Stealing the names of private and public individuals and posting links to press releases, death notices, and news article just make them a little more slimy in my eyes.

Dave and Angela Dawes are real people.  The Dave and Angela sending these emails swear they are the lottery winners determined to do good.  They even shared a link to a news story as proof of their identities and to dupe the unsuspecting into opening their attached file.  Not me, not gonna.

Here’s the message in all its glory:

From: Dave and Angela Dawes (dave&angele@yahoo.com)

Subject: Grant Donation…Check web page for our interview and attachment

My wife and I won the biggest Euro Millions lottery prize of £101,203,600.70 GBP and we just commenced our Charity Donation and we will be giving out a cash donation of £1,500,000.00 GBP to five(5)lucky individuals and ten(10)charity organisations from any part of the world.

To verify the genuineness of this email and our winnings, please see our interview by visiting the web page below;
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8820740/101m-lottery-jackpot-winners-Dave-and-Angela-Dawes-to-give-millions-to-friends-and-family.html (Note: Like I’d just check the link they provide to verify their identities. smh)

Your email address was submitted to my wife and I by the Google Management Team (Note: They harvested emails by purchasing mailing lists or stealing them.  Google Management is too busy running Google to share individual user information) and you received this email because we have listed you as one of the lucky millionaires, Kindly send us the below details so that we can direct our Bank can effect a valid Bank Draft in your name to your operational bank account in your country.

============
Full Name:
Country:
Age:
Occupation: (Note: not needed for a bank draft or transfer of legitimate means)
Sex:male
Mobile/Tel:
============
Congratulations & Happy Celebrations in Advance,
Dave & Angela Dawes
Email: dave_angela_dawee@rogers.com

——————–

Be safe, all.  And to the read Dave and Angela Dawes, congratulations on the winnings.

But I’m not expecting a wire transfer

:snicker:  Has anyone noticed how desperate the scammers are getting?  They are including all kinds of disclaimers in hopes of easing our concerns and convincing us their message is the only legit one of its kind.  Check this one:

—
Please note that e-mails, letters and phone calls are currently been made to unsuspecting persons by fraudsters claiming to have access to their funds. Everyday, people throughout the world are falling victim to scams of one way or the other. It could be an unexpected prize draw or lottery win, or a chance to invest in an exciting new money-making or investment programme . In the circumstance, we unreservedly advice you to dissociate yourself from all correspondence and transactions entered into based on evidently fraudulent and fictitious claims.

—

I laughed out loud when I read that.  Sorry, Banki Moon and Williams Carl, I won’t be falling for it.  Here’s the rest of the message:

—

From: Williams Carl (victor@korloy.com)

Subject:  WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER (note: Because a subject line in all caps will get my attention)

Attention,

After proper and several investigations and research at Western Union and MoneyGram Office, we found your name in Western Union database amongst those that have sent money through Western Union to Nigeria and this proves that you have truly been swindled by those unscrupulous persons by sending money to them through Western Union/MoneyGram in the course of getting one fund or the other that is not real, right now we are working hand in hand with Western Union to track every fraudsters down, do not respond to their e-mails, letters and phone calls any longer as they are scammers and you should be very careful to avoid being a victim to fraudsters any longer because they have nothing to offer you but to rip-off what you have worked earnestly hard to earn.
In this regard a meeting was held between the Board of Directors of The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside with the Ministry of Finance – Nigeria and as a consequence of our investigations it was agreed that the sum of hundred thousand US Dollars (US$100,000.00) should be transferred to you out of the funds that Federal Government of Nigeria has set aside as a compensation to everyone who have by one way or the other sent money to fraudsters in Nigeria.

***Please note that we will no longer be liable for any loss, cost or expense whatsoever, suffered or incurred by You in connection with the fraudsters. (note:  But here you are, offering me money anyway.)

Be warned!
We have deposited your fund at Western Union Money Transfer agent location EMS Post office Lagos, Nigeria.

We have submitted your details to them so that your fund can be transferred to you. We have paid the Registration and Transfer fees and for security reasons we have also insured your fund to avoid misappropriation.

Contact the Western Union agent office through any of the email addresses stated below;

Contact Person: Williams Carl
Contact Email : westter_payin@yahoo.com
Contact Phone : +234-815-666-2177

Yours sincerely,

Banki Moon

Investigation Officer.

—

Hope you enjoyed the giggle.

Seriously, I am not going to open and read your attachment spammer!

How lazy can they get?  They can’t be bothered to copy and paste anymore?  Jeez!  At least work a little for your ill-begotten gains!

This week Mrs. Theresa . (yes, they put a period there) E. Lewis (wolfpacksq3@aol.com), FBI Director Robert S Meuller III (huttoking@aol.com),  Mr. Martins Deliakane (mdelikane0014@rejtett.hu), Dave and Angela Dawes (dave&angele@yahoo.com – more on them later), Ben S. Bernanke (PtrBln523@aol.com – twice), John White (info@ego.co.th), and Sgt. Gerry Gilsenan (crystaljan1@aol.com) all thought I would rush to open their attachments to learn more about my lottery winnings, my inheritance, and to respond to their pleas for help.

John White even made sure to put “please open the attachment”  28 times in the email body along with a fake this message is free of viruses notice.  Oy.

Idiocy knows no bounds, eh?

Father’s Day week always makes me sad

My dad died on February 29, 1980.  He must have planned it somehow, thinking since the actual day comes once every four years it might hurt less.  Not really. Besides, it’s not like you can plan a heart attack.

Anyways, the last week of February, his birthday, and Father’s Day really mess with me.  It’s not like I can’t function or anything like that.  I just feel lost.  It’s been so long that you would think it wouldn’t feel like this, but it does.   I just miss him.  I hate that he’s missed seeing my kids and niece grow up.  I hate that he isn’t going to see wrestling next month with my brother and husband.  Daddy loved wrestling and would be tickled to see Rick Flair still doing his thing.   I hate that I can’t call him.

I should put this on my other blog since getting these feelings out is healthy.  But I’m working and had to take a break of sorts because I really wish I could see dad.  I remember what he looked like and can see him in the mirror, my brothers, and my kids.  It’s awesome, but not the same.   My workaholic nature comes from both him and mom.   The desire to stand up for what I believe is right comes from him.  He was very active in the community.  And loved fishing.  I’m not sure how well that and my veggie life would get along, but I’m sure we would have found a way.

Here is to you, dad.  Henry, you were awesome.  And your awesomeness lives on in all who loved you.

I figured I’d keep it light and fun for Friday.  I’d share if I won a real lottery, but this is so not real.  Even in my most desperate times, I would not risk this.  I have too much at stake to even go there.

—

From:  Asia Pacific Int’l Lottery (test@yacz.gov.cn)

Subject:  Congratulations!!! Dear Lucky Winner

Congratulations !!! Dear Lucky Winner,

ASIA PACIFIC LOTTERY 2012 WINNING NOTIFICATION

We are Pleased to inform you that your Email Address was selected among the winners of Asia Pacific International Lottery Promotion year 2012.

You have therefore been approved for a lump sum pay of US$ 1,000, 000.00 (ONE MILLION UNITED STATE DOLLARS ONLY)

For more details visit our website below:
http://asiapacificonlineweb.hpage.com

Kindly click on the weblink for full information and direction on how to redeem your cash prize.

Congratulations Once again !!!

Announcer !!!
Dr.Thanaporn Deng
President, Asia Pacific Lottery Organization.

—

Dr. Deng has been sending this one out for years.  info@asiapacifc.org is one of his most popular return addresses.  Last year he directed winners to contact his assistant Dr. Godwin Iva  at dr.godwin01@yahoo.com.hk or the lottery cocoordinator Rev. Nikom Jirasak at asiapacific_liveprom@yahoo.co.th.

I do not understand why people fall for this.  Do you?

Have a fantastic weekend.

So, who is Dorothy Armstrong and why is she calling me ‘beloved?’

Another dying widow needs my assistance.  Is it a shame that I feel no sympathy for this obvious scammer?  I don’t think so.

—

From:  Dorothy Armstrong (armstrong@buscheckltd.co.uk)

Subject: email me please

Dear Beloved

I am sending you this mail in good faith. I am Dorothy Armstrong, an America citizen currently undergoing medical treatment for cancer. My late husband was a contractor with the United Kingdom consulate for many years before he died in 2002. We had an account with a financial institution in Europe where we deposited all our assets and life savings worth (US$6.5M) for a fixed period. I have just been informed by my doctor that I only have few months to leave due to the cancer illness.

Having known my condition that will not allow me claim the funds personally; I have decided to nominate you as my beneficiary since the financial institution have now written me that the length of time agreed upon to hold my funds is now expired. My desire and purpose is for you to promote humanitarian works. I.e. assisting the less privileged and building orphanage homes in your country and to upset my medical bills.

Please assure me that you will act accordingly. I encourage you to email me (doarmstrong@gmx.com) for more information.

In His Arms.

Mrs. Dorothy Armstrong

—

She’s also sending this email from info@mattdltd.co.uk ,

As tempted as I am to write back for more information, I have no desire to give her my email address so she can use it to send more spam with my info.  I’ll pass, Dorothy.  Shame on you!

Until next time, peace!

So, is it William or Edward Mr. Scammer?

Scammers don’t always pay attention to the messages they send.  Then again, you knew that.  They send multiple messages with spelling and grammar errors, bad links, bouncing email addresses, and more with their fraudulent pitches.   Last week I received several messages from William Washington or Edward Washington using the same email address.  So, which one am I supposed to contact regarding my finds?  I am so torn!  Both names seem trustworthy….

—

From – Mr. Edward Washington (washington41@globomail.com); Mr. William Washington (washington41@globomail.com)

Subject – Do you need a loan to pay off your bill? Contact us at washington10@blumail.org with your full name, loan amount and phone number (Yes, seriously.)

—

Notice how he didn’t bother to add any text to the message?  The subject line tells it all, so why bother to share more?   Also note that he wants me to respond to a different email address.  By the way, blumail.org set me to a 404- error page on  BluWorld, a free emaill service provider, and Globomail.com is  sort of a Portuguese Yahoo – a portal offering free email.

See, he didn’t even try hard!  Seriously, if you’re going to bother with this garbage, at least make it interesting!

Until next time, peace.

Gabriel Craig really wants to get in touch with me

Seriously, who send three emails within 5 minutes with the same subject and content unless it’s urgent?  I feel so…wanted?  Silly spammer.  Full text ahead:

—

From: Gabriel Craig (gbrailercraig@aol.com, Gabriel.Craig@tiberius.lunariffic.com)

Subject: Hello (Original, eh?)

APPLY WITHING FOR A SECRET SHOPPER AND EARN NOTHING LESS THAN 200USD
GET BACK TODAY WITH YOUR INFORMATION FOR APP.,FULL NAME:,CONTACT ADDRESS (NO P.O.BOX),CITY:,STATE,PHONE NUMBER(S):AGE:,OCCUPATION.
You need no present working experience

Thanks

—-

It’s the same-old, same-old.  A recipient responds and he sends additional information explaining how he’ll send a check for for the recipient to shop.  Oops, the check was made for too much.  Just keep your portion and send back the rest via wire transfer.  By the time the check bounces, he’ll disappear and the recipient is stuck with the negative balance and record of depositing fraudulent checks.  Just delete this one and move on.  Reporting it may not do any good.  

Until next time, be safe and smart.