Wednesday 3 August 2011

Email scams

I guess this vaguely relates to a technical blog. If anything it should be a lesson to my uncle (and everyone else who goes on the internet) to install some anti-malware software.

Anyway, today I received an email from my uncle's email address. It was clear to me from the beginning that this was a scam. Below is the email correspondence. My replies are in bold.

Here it goes...
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Aug 3, 2011 4:11 AM
I am sorry I did not mention my travel to the UK.I am at the Heathrow Airport having problems with the management because my luggage has exceeded weight limit.I will like you to help me with a loan of 700pounds to sort my self out.Please get back to me if you can help.
Thanks.
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3 August 2011 08:22
Either this message is from a hacked email account or fees for airlines are beyond affordability.
The latter is unlikely.
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3 August 2011 09:28
Thanks very much.I do not have access to a mobile phone and limited access to internet.You can send the money via western union money transfer to my personal details below.
Address-43 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PA
United Kingdom.
Thanks for everything.
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3 August 2011 10:28
How about you come meet me today and I can give you the cash.
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3 August 2011 10:32
I am not where you are and I cant move as i dont have cash on me.Please try to help me send it via western union money transfer.

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3 August 2011 10:39

Prove you are who you say you are and give me a call

02 **** **** ext 2011

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3 August 2011 10:54

I have tried to explain to you that I have no access to a mobile phone and limited access to internet.Please try to see what can be done for me.** September 19** is ******'s date of birth.
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3 August 2011 10:55

Please try to help me with this loan.

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3 August 2011 11:24
Tell me exactly where you are. I can come to you. Or I have 1000s of friends and colleagues all over the world who can come to you to help.
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3 August 2011 11:48
Heathrow Airport.
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3 August 2011 13:00

I work near there.

Wait for me at terminal 4. I will be there on 20mins

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3 August 2011 13:26
If I dont see you in 20 mins.I will take this as you are playing with me.
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3 August 2011 14:07

Apparently they evacuated terminal 4 and moved everyone to terminal 5. I went to terminal 5 and you were not there.

What are you wearing? Are you dressing like a woman when you travel?

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3 August 2011 21:57

Hi uncle

I guess I missed you. I was looking for a 6 foot asian man dressed in drag, with long curly platinum blonde hair. You still have your curls right?

Anyway, I could not transfer the money. But I went back to Heathrow and have left the £700 at the Western union desk with an albino African man with a Mexican accent, named rumplestiltskin. He will be waiting at the Heathrow desk at terminal 16. It is right next to the home office, border agency and MI5. Just get the piccadilly line to terminal 3 and walk west.

Good luck and I hope that you end up in jail for your scams.