Sigh. I should know better than to check my spam folder on weekends. I have the trifecta of scams sitting there. It started with several fake job offers, with each email sillier than the previous one.
Let’s start with an offer from Mr. Paul Wynter (wynter.paul1997@att.net), an artist from the United Kingdom. Apparently Americans and Canadians want to pay him with Cashier’s Checks and he needs someone to cash them and wire the balance:
From Mr. Paul Wynter
553 East Trent Blvd.,
London,SE1 7TJ
London, United Kingdom.
Tel.+44-702-306-8775
E-mail: wynter.paul1997@live.com
http://www.londonart.co.uk/sales/index.aspx
Hello Friend,
Good day to you, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, My name is Paul Wynter. I am an artist by profession, I’m a British man and I base in London United Kingdom UK, I am married with three kids. I got your email address on the America Chamber of Commerce and I decided to contact you. Actually I’m looking for a representative in UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,USA. I have a job offer that will earn you at least $1,400.00 every week, this job offer will not stop you from your daily job, and the job offer is thus:
Most of my customers are AMERICANS and CANADIANS, and they all want to pay me with Cashier’s Check, and it is always very hard me to cash the cashier’s check here in London United Kingdom UK, because the British Government does not permit the usage of cashier’s check here in United Kingdom. So, I decided to search for a reliable and honest person in AMERICA to help me in cashing the cashier’s checks and send me physical cash here in London UK. I have so many customers in AMERICA and CANADA and If you are interested, You will be earning at least $1,400.00 every week as 10% commission as my AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE. This job offer will not affect your present work, all I need from you is honesty and trust, kindly send me the information’ below and I will have my customers send the cashier’s check to you immediately:
MAIN REQUIREMENTS
18 years or older legally capable responsible ready to work 3-4 hours per week.with PC knowledge e-mail and internet experience(minimal) And please know that Everything is absolutely legal, that’s why You have to fill a contract form below,
* Full Name:
* Full Address:
* Company Name ( if there is any):
* Professional/Job Position:
* Phone Number:
* Bank Name ( Optional)
If you are interested in our offer, Please respond with the above details in order for us to reach you, ONLY SERIOUS AND INTERESTED APPLICANTS/WORKERS SHOULD PLEASE REPLY INTERESTED APPLICANTS ONLY, SHOULD MAIL ME DIRECTLY VIA ( wynter.paul1997@live.com ) Due to the network problem you may receive this email in your spam folder kindly forward it to your in-box before replying to this email.
You won’t spend any money in this job offer not even a dime, consider this job offer and reply back to me with the above details.
Thanks as I await your immediate response.
Regards,
Managing Director: Mr. Paul Wynter
——-
So, Paul, why should your marital and parental statuses matter to a potential employee? Oh yes, because it makes you seem more legit and less like a criminal because you have kids. Whatever. Try again. Better yet, call it a day and get a legit job.
Next up is the loan offer from Mr. James Preston (jamespresto1@blumail.org). The grammar in this one may make your head hurt:
Subject: USA LOAN APPLY NOW
Our Loan unit deal Legitimate Loans without collateral at the low interest rate of 2% with maximum guarantee and assurance.If you are in need of a loan, We will like you to let Us know how much you need as loan in your
next email so that i can provide you Our loan conditions for the processing of your application.
BORROWERS INFORMATION
(1) Full Name:
(2) Permanent Address
(3) Sex & Age:
(4) Occupation
(5) Country
(6) Amount Needed
(7) Loan Duration:
(8) Monthly Income
(9) Valid Telephone/Fax
(10) Purpose of seeking Loan:
Mr. James Preston
———
Funny, he didn’t ask for my bank account number and Social Security number. Those requests will come in the follow up email or application. Not falling for it, James.
And the Paypal scam. We’ve all received them and happily forward them to spoof@paypal.com. But until I forward it, I decided to share. Just in case you or someone you know receives a similar message and are not sure how to proceed:
Subject: Warning! Your PayPal account has been limited!
Warning Notification
Dear PayPal Costumer,
It has come to our attention that your PayPal® account information needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect your account and to reduce the instance of fraud on our website. If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update your personal records you will not run into any future problems with the online service.
However, failure to update your records will result in account suspension. Please update your records before January 08, 2012.
Once you have updated your account records, your PayPal® account activity will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.
Click here to update your PayPal account information
Copyright © 1999-2011 PayPal. All rights reserved.
Information about FDIC pass-through insurance
————-
You would think the scammer would at least try to spoof a Paypal return address. Must be a newbie.
Be safe, all.
WAHM life - a little of everything 