New to me – child adoption spam

It’s not often that I come across a new spam or scam message, but I was a little thrown by one I received earlier this week.  I know families who adopt and how difficult and expensive the process is.  I know that there are scammers out there looking for prospective victims and am sickened by this message.

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From: Kemi Taiwo (ms.yemit@mail.bg)

Subject:  Child for Adoption

My name is Ms Kemi Taiwo from Delta State, I gave birth to triplet, 3 baby boys at once but I can;t take care of them, am orphan so I ve’ decided to give up the babies for adoption, two has been adopted by different families through the lawyer in-charge remaining one with me. Bear this in mind am not selling my baby but you will paid for adoption fee. Can you adopt and take care of him?

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If you want to adopt, please go through legal means.  Contact a lawyer or agency in your area.  Do not fall for unsolicited messages.  I know how much love you have to give and how much you want a child.  This is not the way.

Tania Amir wants to be partners

I love it when people reach out to discuss a collaboration or partnership, but I don’t like it when scam artists do.

You tell me if this sounds legitimate:

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From:  Tania Amir (tania.amir8@gmail.com)
Subject:  I seek your sincere partnership 

Attention;

I am formally writing to bring this Landmark Project to you. Kindly go through the attached Confidential Letter and get back to me or you can reach me on +(44) 770 030 8940 for more information.

Thank you and hope hearing from you soon.

Regards,

Tania Amir
AMIR & AMIR LAW ASSOCIATES

———–

Amir & Amir Law Associates is possibly legitimate.  The domain was created in 2009 and the site itself contains the information one would want to find when looking for a lawyer.  I do wonder why a photo gallery was included, but maybe that’s just me.  Notice the phone number.  On the site, the number is.  The phone number in the email includes a +44 prefix used when calling the United Kingdom.  To call Bangladesh, where Amir & Amir is located, the call prefix is +11.

No, I did not download the attached letter.  Never download unsolicited attachments.  It’s generally not a safe move.

I will not take Tania up on this kind offer.  You shouldn’t, either.  There are too many red flags.

 

Another deployed soldier scam

Once again, a “deployed soldier” has reached out for my help.  When will these crooks ever learn?

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From: Capt. Kate Car Lee (fslship@auk.co.kr)

Subject: Reply Asap

I know you will be surprise to read my email  Please dont be skeptical to reply me. My name is Cpt Kate Carr Lee Carr Lee. I am a member of the US ARMY medical team deployed to Iraq because of the current ISIS problems. I discovered trunk boxes containing American dollar bills. I have deposited two of these boxes with a security company here in Iraq. Am looking for a trust worthy individual who will assist me to receive the funds in his country before l will come over and join the person. Please, I want this to be between you and me since I am still in the service. To prove my sincerity, you are not sending me any money because most of these scams are all about sending money.

 

For reference click the link below

 

 

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_military_intervention_against_ISIS

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/iraq-options

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/20/world/meast/iraq-crisis/

 

Please send me the following below.

 

1. Full Name…

2. Address….

3. Occupation…

4. Age……….

5. Your Telephone Number.

 

As soon as i received these information i will get back to you.

 

Best Regards

 

Cpt Kate Carr Lee

 

—————–

Yes, she will get back to you to request more of your information before she steals your money.

Be safe.

 

Our debit cards were cloned

We were having a regular Saturday.  We’d just finished breakfast and were about to head out to tackle our usual weekend errands.  I logged in to our bank pay a few bills online and found our checking account empty.  Someone had cloned our debit card and cleared out all but a few dollars.  We felt sick, shocked, and angry.  We were careful with our card and only used it in shops we trusted.   It wasn’t enough.

The criminal withdrew the full amount allowed by law in two separate transactions in two different counties.

We called the bank to report it, but since it was the weekend, we had to wait until Monday for a full investigation. We called Costco because it was the last place we used the debit card.  Costco reps apologized and promised a full investigation.  We went to the police department to report it.  The officer took our report and told us we to report the second transaction to a different county because the crime occurred there.  The second county tried to blow us off, and the dispatcher taking the call seemed annoyed when we explained what the officer first police department advised.  When a detective called us back, he suggested that one of our children or friends took our card, used it, and returned it without our knowledge.  ‘It’s almost impossible for someone to steal your money without your debit card.’

We called every creditor we’d planned to pay that week and reported the fraud.  We needed extensions and unfortunately, late fees.

We did the right things and felt like no one cared or wanted to help.  Thankfully, we were not alone.  Several customers were robbed that same week and the bank responded with a quickness.  The bank returned our money, but the criminals are still at large.

We cannot always prevent fraud, but we can take steps to protect ourselves and at least recover our lost funds.

• Check your accounts often
• Do not use your debit card at an ATM or at checkout if the scanner does not look right
• If fraud is discovered, report it immediately.  Call your bank and the police.
• Do not let the person your report the incident to brush you off.  You are a victim and deserve full cooperation.

Be safe.

More fake shipping/receiving job postings

There are quite a few fake shipping/receiving jobs in my inbox this week. In general, they all promise decent to high salaries for receiving packages at your address and shipping them to another address.  This type of position sets you up as a  potential fall guy.  You’ll either receive stolen items or crooks will steal your money or banking information when they have you deposit your paycheck and wire them the overage.

Look out for messages from Harper Michael, Vladimir McBride, Guy Dixon, and Levi Foley.

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Subject:   Job offer (some random number)

Good day.

This letter is a request to your application posted in CareerBuilder and we would like you to take our new HOME-BASED position.

A national & international group is searching a part-time shipping/receiving Administrator. The job demands working 2-3 hours per day at most on the PC. The job is consistent and the working hours are variable. The job is open to those people who can work by themselves.

Responsibilities: receiving and transferring incoming items, keeping documents for all shipping & receiving activities, packaging and planning pick up of all outcome goods.
Monthly salary is about $1,500.

Requirements: 21+ years of age, permanent access to Internet.

In case interested please reply with data requested below so as to confirm we have your name and other details correctly.

– First and last name:
– Country, State:
– Your Contact number:

Please note: If we do not call you your resume will be preserved in our system to consider you in future.

—

Subject:  Well-paying job

Hello ! The mail forwarding team is looking for shipping/receiving Clerk.

No enrollment fee. The average monthly income is $1500.

Job Duties and responsibilities:

– Must be able to work on flexible schedules – the position is home-based
– Receive and mail incoming shipments. Auditing incoming shipments for damages.
– Complete all paperwork in a timely and accurate manner.

Qualifications:
– Applicants must be mature – 21 years and older, able to work independently, prioritize the work in an accurate and efficient manner, permanent access to Internet.

When interested please reply with information requested below so as to make sure we have your name and other details correctly.

– Your Full Name:
– Your Country, State:
– Your Contact number:

Please note: If you do not receive a call or email from our manager, your information will be kept in our record for future consideration.
Thank you.

—

Subject:  Job offer (random number)

Hi!
We found your profile through recruiting agency.
Tell us, do you want to take three thousands $ a month doing home-based work?
We are looking for Mailing Assistant in our company that has to inspect the content of the boxes are delivered home, make reports and send them to the destination.
To fulfil that work no special skill is required. It is enough to be careful, honest and reliable person. This is a full-time vacancy that will take up to 40 hours weekly.
We form official employment, benefits package and health benefits.
If you are interested in the vacancy, please let us know about that in your response � We will email you the details.

P.S. We are in search for a Mailing Assist in the nearest time, so We ask you to reply to us within the next 24 hours after you got this email, otherwise We will have to consider the other candidatures.

TMK INTERNATIONAL LTD.

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Remember, if someone wants you to receive and ship items from your home, it’s not a legitimate position,  Be safe.

Fake Facebook, YouTube, and Skype missed notifications

My inbox is full lately.  The spammers are ramping up their efforts through the holiday season because they think we’ll fall for the strange offers and notifications because of holiday brain.  Let’s prove them wrong.

In addition to the usual lottery and job scams, missed Skype, YouTube, and Facebook messages are the main topics.  The messages are short and include a link to the fake site the scammer wants you to log in on.

Here are some of the ones I’ve received.

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From:  Skype Team (dissentsyq71@schesslitz.de)

Subject:  Delayed mails bagged

Delayed mail.

View mails (link removed).

Cordially,

Skype team

————-

From:  YouTube Notify (globh@proderm.de)

Subject: You have deferred mails embodying

You have deferred mail.

View mails (link removed).

Warm wishes,

Youtube Team

———————-

From:  Youtube (drh@styl-pack.fr)

Subject:  You have missed notifications proved
You have missed notification. 

View notifications (link removed). 

Very truly yours

Youtube service

——————

From:  Facebook Notify (drh@styl-pack.fr)

Subject:  Hi.  You have deferred mails underlining.

View mails (link removed).

Best regards

Facebook service

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If you receive a similar message, please don’t click the link.  Open the site in a new window and login there.

Be safe.

 

 

 

 

 

Another donation offer from the United Nations

Oy.  Once again, someone is seeking to separate people from their money by offering money.  The United Nations does not donate money to random individuals, but that does not keep spammers from sharing it.  And people still fall for it regularly.  The lure of free money in any economy trumps critical thinking at times.

The grammatical errors are straight from the email itself.

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From:  United Nations (ag_spensar@msn.com)  Note:  I didn’t realize the UN used Msn.com email addresses

Subject:  Message from United Nations

You have been selected as one the beneficiries to receive the sum of $5,000 from the United Nation. This is as part of the ongoing annual monetary donation disbursed by the United Nations to selected lucky individuals from the 36 member state of the United Nations. While some beneficiaries of this gesture receives the sum of $1,000 some are much more luckier to receive as much as $50,000 depending on which group the recipient was picked from. The United Nations each year disbursed well over $100,000,000 to different individual beneficiaries across the governing States of the United Nations. The motive of this donation is to provide financial empowerment to enable beneficiaries meet their immediate family and economic needs.It also provide an enterprises that will boost their economic and consumption activities and help reduce their vulnerability and widespread poverty. It also aimed to improve the health of their families,and/or take on new activities that will enhance their standard of living. The United Nations has successfully empowered more than 20,000 selected beneficiaries across the world since 2010. All the lucky beneficiaries were selected randomly through email balloting from over one million emails extracted from the the web. All payment has been approved to be disbursed to the different beneficiaries through a cashier cheque. To receive your check,please be advised to contact the payment processing agent,Mr Mark Adams immediately on markadams63@hotmail.com for further detailing. Sincerely, Ms.Agnes Spensar Public Relation officer United Nations Organization(UNO) New York, NY 10017, United States

————

When the UN comes out and states that these types of messages are fraudulent, you’d think the scammers would try something different.  It’s shameful, pathetic, and scummy.

Be safe.

Proposal from Chung Hong

This guy.  Four emails in five days.  Persistence is not a sign of legitimacy.  The messages ares shared in full (with the exception of the attachments) with the spelling and grammatical errors included.

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First message

From:  Chung Hong (sanchezax@cantv.net)

Subject:  PROPOSAL

Am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-Bian. My name is Chung Hong, and I am bank executive here at the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Hong Kong Branch. My friend Mr. Chen Shui-Bian has presented a subtle offer which will need the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen Shui-Bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of money out and this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. ChenPlease read Attached for full details and get back to me

——–

Second

From:  Chung Hong (jorjavi@cantv.net) Note:  Notice the different email address?

Subject:  Read and get back to me

Mr. Chen Shui-Bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of money out and this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen. Please read attached for full detals and get back to me.

————-

Third

From: Chung Hong (jorjavi@cantv.net)

Subject:  on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-Bian

 I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-Bian. My name is Chung Hong, and I am bank executive here at the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Hong Kong Branch. Our bank website is http://www.icbcasia.com. My friend Mr. Chen Shui-Bian has presented a subtle offer which will need the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen Shui-Bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of money out and this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen. Please read attached for full detals and get back to me.

————–

Fourth

From:  Chung Hong (sanchezax@cantv.net)

Subject:  PROPOSAL

I am writing to you on behalf of Mr. Chen Shui-Bian. My name is Chung Hong, and I am bank executive here at the Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Hong Kong Branch. My friend Mr. Chen Shui-Bian has presented a subtle offer which will need the help of a partner like you to complete successfully. Mr. Chen Shui-Bian is in a difficult situation and he must immediately relocate certain sums of money out and this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. ChenPlease read Attached for full details and get back to me

——

If you’re not sure if a message or offer like this is legitimate, this bit should say it all:

…this must be done in such a way that it must not be tied to Mr. Chen.  

If the money or offer is legitimate, there should be no reason why a transfer cannot be tied to the one transferring it.  And did he really think I’d open his attached message?  Whatever strange person with the fraudulent and illegal offer.

Have you heard from Chung Hong or Chen Shui-Bian?

 

 

 

Rare job opportunity scam

Have I told you lately how much I despise spammers?  I do.  I can’t stand how they fill my inbox and occasionally make their way past the spam filters.  I can’t stand how they prey on people looking for something – anything – to help pay the bills.  I think they’re scum and need to be put on blast.

Lately, Digital Binary Options has been blowing up my mailbox.  The latest messages mention a job opportunity that is anything but.

If it’s legitimate, they don’t need to hit my inbox several times a week using different addresses and subject lines.   I received this one this week.  Three times.  I’m editing the link, but the remaining text is theirs, errors and all.

—

From:  Marketing Department
Subject:  Rare Job Opportunity (support@digitalbinaryoptions.net)

Hello,

Unfortunately one of our valued team members have recently left our team, this means we have a rare opening

in out corporation.

This position offers a starting salary of $250,500, plus An outstanding benefits package tailored specifically to you.

Learn More Here … (edited)

You do not need any experience or qualifications, only a willingness to learn, a few hours out of your day, and

an internet connection.  Sound like you?

Apply Now!

There is only one space available and it will be filled quickly, so we recommend applying today.

Thanks,

Mary

——

There is NO position anywhere that requires no minimum experience or education level paying $250,000.  That does not happen and is not real.

This scumbag crew sends similar messages from support@healthyhappinessstartshere.com and George at support@pureincomeforever.com.  The business address does not match any known business in Arizona.  Please don’t fall for this one. Share the messages they send with a warning about them.  That’s what I’m doing.

Until next time, be safe and smart, people.

Is it a Project Assistant or Operations Manager position?

Yesterday I shared a fake lead from Fuller Carter and made a note of his laziness in not proofreading his message.  Herrod Carney apparently learned from Carter or maybe is the same scammer using a different name. Tsk, tsk.  Sloppy work is just sloppy work, even if it is is a scam.

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From:  Herrod Carney (nanci@transoceanic.com)

Subject:  Job opening : (3632645493)

Vacancy ID: Project Assistant.

Section: Advertising company.

Job Status: Full-Time/Part-Time

Annual income: $70K.

Locality: Across the USA.

DETAILS

We are currently accepting applications for the full-time permanent position of Operations Manager for our Logistics and Warehousing Area of activity.

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

The work combines overseeing overall coordination of normal projects with the coordination of particular aspects of larger projects under the direction of the Project Manager. The post also involves Proposal Development and Project Execution.

You will be expected to maintain the standards of the project at all times, meeting project targets while fulfilling and superseding client expectations.

COMPETENCES:

– US citizen only.
– 7+ years� work experience.
– Bachelor�s degree or higher.
– A broad understanding of transportation is vital as well as the ability to manage projects across teams. – Strong computer skills with knowledge of basic business software like Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
– The successful candidate will also possess competent spoken and written communication skills.

For more information, please reply with your resume.

————

Notice that the message is almost identical to the one I shared yesterday?   The sender and position titles are different and while part-time is mentioned in the message heading, only full-time is referenced within the message.  It’s another example of a scammer copying and pasting script with minor changes.  Learn to spot these scams and share when you find them.

Be safe.