Topic: Spam (Read 30367 times)

Thad · « **Reply #180 on:** September 07, 2012, 05:24:54 PM »

So I guess Cox has added spam filters to its SMTP server?

I guess it flags E-Mails that have a bunch of domains in them and won't send them out.

Which is kind of A FUCKING PROBLEM when you're trying to set up a new website for somebody.

Thad · « **Reply #181 on:** September 14, 2012, 07:58:31 PM »

Quote

From: Hughes_John <Hughes_John@Allergan.[...]>
Subject: Write Back..
To: Undisclosed Recipients

I wish to notify you that late Mr. Rolf Hoffmann made you the sum of($12,030,000.00) in his WILL. Reply to deanharrylaw@[commonly-used free e-mail provider].com Tell: +44701113[...]
I await your prompt response.
Yours in Service,
Dean Harry Esq

This e-mail, including any attachments, is meant only for the intended recipient and may be a confidential communication or a communication privileged by law. If you received this e-mail in error, any review, use, dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender immediately of the error by return e-mail and please delete this message from your system. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Man, I don't know any Rolf Hoffmann, but if he left me the sum of(twelve million dollars) in his WILL then I'd better talk to this Harry's Law John Hughes guy at one of the two completely different suspicious E-Mail addresses on this message. I mean, it sounds above the board; it's got a bright blue tiny-text thing at the bottom that says it's meant only for the intended recipient, Undisclosed Recipients.

Dooly · « **Reply #182 on:** September 15, 2012, 12:21:45 AM »

He didn't leave you that money, he MADE you that money.

Thad · « **Reply #183 on:** September 15, 2012, 10:16:37 AM »

Hm, good point. I wonder how he did that?

Caithness · « **Reply #184 on:** September 15, 2012, 10:59:51 AM »

He must be on the Federal Reserve Board.

François · « **Reply #185 on:** September 15, 2012, 11:19:05 AM »

I pick up the phone, say "oui allô?". Long silence. Heavily accented female voice, sounds vaguely african, almost timid. "Good day sir. I call to inform you that there's a problem with your computer."

That's not even translated for your benefit. It's someone straight up calling me in English (which basically never happens). To tell me there's something wrong with my computer.

I went "I'm pretty sure there's not, goodbye", and hung up, but now I'm curious. Hmm. Wish I wasn't fundamentally too nice to mess with even probable scammers.

Mongrel · « **Reply #186 on:** September 17, 2012, 09:35:46 PM »

This one was actually very new and well done! From a "pedrohbpardal"

Quote

Hey, you did not change the e-mail and now you changed the password and think you can get away with it?
If i do not have that account back i am going to report/make a complaint for scamming.
Nice try.

It came from a gmail address that actually matched the sender's 'name'. Not a bad try... though I'm not sure what they wanted me to do other than reply - the email actually contained zero links.

Thad · « **Reply #187 on:** September 23, 2012, 05:05:44 PM »

Quote

From: Reminder <70A7F4DB2@[some domain that's not LinkedIn]>
Subject: LinkedIn: New messages awaiting your response

LinkedIn
REMINDERS

Invitation reminders:
From Silvia Horne (Insurance Manager at Wolseley)

PENDING MESSAGES

There are a total of 1 message(-s) awaiting your response. [Link to an IP address:] Go to InBox now.

This message was sent to [E-Mail address that is not on my LinkedIn account]. This is an occasional email to help you get the most out of LinkedIn.

[Link to another domain that's not LinkedIn:] Adjust your message settings.

LinkedIn values your privacy. At no time has LinkedIn made your email address available to any other LinkedIn user without your permission.

2012, LinkedIn Corporation.

Actually clicked on this, because I guess I really AM that out-of-it. NoScript caught it and all it pulled up was a blank page with a spinny throbber; I imagine even if NoScript hadn't caught it I'd have noticed pretty shortly that it wasn't the real LinkedIn page and wouldn't have gotten as far as entering my password. But yeah, it was professional-looking enough that I missed the clues and clicked through; keep an eye out for this one.

Disposable Ninja · « **Reply #188 on:** September 23, 2012, 05:14:23 PM »

Quote

Dear Beneficiary,

I am Barrister O C. Joe Okocha, a legal practitioner and an attorney to late Mr. Richard Blanchard.He died in 2007 on his trip to your country.My reason of sending you this email is to help secure the funds left behind by my client before it is confiscated or declared unserviceable by the Finance Institution where this fund valued at $25,000,000.00 Million Dollars was deposited.

Moreover,I write to seek your humble consent to present you as the next-of-kin and beneficiary to my late client fund,so that the fund will be paid to you as his real beneficiary.I expect your urgent response indicating your full interest in this great business transaction to our both mutual trust by forwarding to me your below personal data.Kindly gets in touch with me on this my private email address () with your below personal data;

1). Full Names:.............
2). Contact Address:............
3). Age & Sex :........
4). Telephone & Fax Number:...........
5). Occupation:..............
6). Your Personal/private Email Address:.............

Regards,
Barrister O C. Joe Okocha
Email:

I've had this particular email address since the mid 90's, and this is the first and only scam email I can honestly think of that I've ever gotten.

Thad · « **Reply #189 on:** September 24, 2012, 06:52:21 AM »

I've been surprised just how much spam I get at work. Like, professional "Come to our conference!" spam.

I'm surprised by how legitimately terrible Outlook's built-in spam filter is, and also by the lengths that "respectable" companies go to to evade it (E-Mail addresses from dozens of different variations on the same domain).

But if you want some real amateur-hour shenanigans, I just got an apparently-legit E-Mail with the subject line "Join us at Oracel Open World" and whose first sentence is "I trust you are Keeping well with the pace of your busy schedule." With a request for a receipt.

There's probably a joke in there somewhere about Oracle's commitment to openness being so strong that it doesn't want its name spelled correctly when the subject comes up.

Ted Belmont · « **Reply #190 on:** September 24, 2012, 07:03:58 AM »

I used to get hardly any spam on my main account, until I unsubscribed from a bunch of political/activist email lists. Now the amount of spam I get has increased tenfold.

Thad · « **Reply #191 on:** September 24, 2012, 07:27:03 AM »

I was in a group of local business representatives with Sam Crump a few years back, and when he ran for office I agreed to be on his mailing list (even though he was a Republican and I wasn't registered in his district). He seems to have given my E-Mail address to a shit-ton of right-wing orgs (or given it to somebody else who did), and I've gotten all kinds of pro-Arpaio stuff and goofy-ass conspiracy theory nonsense from the Washington Times on that account.

I keep meaning to drop him an E-Mail and be like "Dude, Sam, what were you thinking?"

Thad · « **Reply #192 on:** October 10, 2012, 08:55:15 PM »

Quote

From: Run Do Not Reply <undercoated@nobleenergyinc.[...]>
Subject: Your Biweekly payroll is due
10/09/2012 07:33 AM

Your Weekly payroll for check date 10/09/2012 is ready for approve. Your payroll will be approved at least Two days before to your check date to ensure timely tax deposits and payroll delivery. If you offer direct deposit to your employees, this is also provide deposit of their money right at the check date.

Client ID: XXXXXXX0

Payment details: Click thist Link for Details [Link directs to www.valu-line.[...]/wp-includes/prbwshdld.html]

Important: Please be advised that calls to and from your payroll service team may be monitored or recorded.

Please Not try to reply to this message. auto informer system unable to accept incoming email.

Quote

From: Run Do Not Reply <snaps@caspex.[...].nz>
Subject: Your be-weekly payroll is ready
10/09/2012 08:52 AM

Your Biweekly payroll for check date October 09, 2012 is ready for approve. Your payroll would be done at least Two days prior to your check date to ensure timely tax deposits and payroll delivery. If you offer direct deposit to your employees, this will also guarantee deposit of their money right by the due date.

Client ID: XXXXXXX2

View Details: Click here for information [Link directs to hotelceylonheritage.[...]/web/bwprir.html]

Important: Please be advised that calls to and from your payroll service team may be monitored or recorded.

Please Not try to reply to this message. auto informer system can't accept incoming email.

You know, even leaving aside all the other red flags, do you suppose someone is MORE likely to fall for this scam if he receives those two messages within a 90-minute period?

Royal☭ · « **Reply #193 on:** October 10, 2012, 09:00:00 PM »

I don't know but you better run instead of replying. Run fast.

Thad · « **Reply #194 on:** October 17, 2012, 01:13:18 PM »

As I've mentioned before, I once made the mistake of giving my E-Mail to a local politician who I knew professionally, and since then I have been put on all kinds of right-wing mailing lists that I cannot seem to remove myself from. I will probably post a blog about the "Is Obama possessed by demons?" E-Mail at some point. But this isn't about that.

This is about...well, obviously you shouldn't respond to spammers. But I just couldn't help myself; I just sent this response out to a bit of political spam I received:

Quote

From: Thad Boyd
Quote
From: Mitt Romney
Subject: The Final Deadline

Friend,

I hope you watched the debate last night.

Really?

Thad · « **Reply #195 on:** October 22, 2012, 07:56:45 AM »

Quote

From: MR ROGER JOHNSON <pwned Taiwanese .edu E-Mail with a name on it that is definitely not "Roger">
Subject: GOOD NEWS FROM THE F.B.I AGENT !!!
Reply-to: mr.rogerjohnson99@yahoo.[...]

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc
http://www.fbi.gov/libref/directors/directmain.htm

I am Mr. Robert S.Mueller, The FBI Director; After proper investigations, we discovered that your impending payment that have been withheld by imposters, claiming to be Professor Charles Soludo (Governor of the Central bank of Nigeria), Mr. Patrick Aziza, Mr. Frank Nweke, None existing officials of the Oceanic Bank of Nigeria and Zenith Bank, UK winning Lottery, Andy Lear of Hsbc bank, Coca-Cola winning lottery and among a list of others is now under our custody with the help of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Local Police Force.
Investigations revealed that you have spent a lot on your personal earned money just to conclude the successful transfer of your funds to your nominated bank account by obtaining transfer documents as requested by the imposters, costing you a lot of money but all to no avail.

The FBI had to send some financial crime investigators from our head quarters in Washington DC to Africa in other to carry out proper investigation, after receiving series of other reports similar to yours as you are not the only person awaiting the legal transfer of funds from Africa.

The FBI has giving authority to the International Monetary Funds (IMF) to assist the Federal Ministry of Finance and all the organization involved; such as the Central Bank, Zenith Bank, and Legit lottery organizations to immediately commence with the compensation of all the beneficiaries awaiting the successful transfer of their funds.

With the help of some of the best Internet investigators attached to the FBI, we traced your information from the Internet as one of the beneficiaries awaiting the successful transfer of funds to your nominated account.

I am pleased to inform you that a meeting was held as regards the best way to carry out with the compensation exercise for transparency and most especially to avoid reoccurrence of the delay in transferring your funds and the high cost of procuring transfer documents and came to a final conclusion as all head of organizations involved was duly represented.

It was approved to be issued to you as a valid international ATM card cashable at any ATM machine designation in the world. The ATM account has already being credited with two million, five hundred thousand United States dollars. ($2.5,000, 000.00USD) , with a daily Limit of withdrawal of Ten thousand United States Dollars. ($10.000, 00USD).The ATM card has already being packaged and approved to be delivered to your door step via express courier delivery service.

Contact Mr Roger Johnson {Our FBI ATM Rep.} at the ATM PAYMENT CENTER and reconfirm your delivery information as stated below and your security code with five digit (12090) number has to be submitted alongside with your delivery information for security reasons.

DELIVERY INFORMATION:
FULL NAME AND AGE:
DELIVERY ADDRESS:
SCAN COPY OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT
CELL PHONE NUMBER:
CURRENT OCCUPATION
CONTACT INFORMATION:
NAME: Mr Roger Johnson
EMAIL: mr.rogerjohnson99@yahoo.[...]

HAVE IT IN MIND THAT THE DELIVERY FEE OF YOUR PACKAGE DELIVERY TO YOUR DESTINATION HAVE BEEN SETTLED BETWEEN WE AND THE COURIER COMPANY IN CHARGE OF YOUR ATM CARD DELIVERY.SO YOU ARE MANDATED TO PAY FOR THE SECURITY KEEPING FEE ONLY FOR YOUR ATM CARD TO BE DELIVERED TO YOU.

A RELIABLE AND A TRUSTED COURIER COMPANY HAVE BEEN CONTRACTED TO DELIVER YOUR PACKAGE TO YOUR DESTINATION,AS SOON AS YOU CONTACT MR ROGER JOHNSON HE WILL UPDATE YOU WITH THE COURIER COMPANY EMAIL CONTACT ADDRESS IN OTHER TO AVOID ANY UNDUE DELAY OF YOUR ATM CARD.

NOTE: Under normal circumstances you are suppose to come and collect your ATM CARD in person and sign some documents as proof of the collection of your ATM CARD but the IMF and the Finance Ministry insisted that you pay for the SECURITY KEEPING FEE ONLY of your ATM CARD via western union money transfer, which will cost you only $150.00 USD to cut down travel expenses in other for the western union payment receipt and the receipt of payment of $150.00 USD to the nominated courier company that will carry out with the delivery to your door step to be documented in your file as proof your collection. We hope that is very clear. A receipt to this effect will be sent to you and a copy kept in your file for future documentation.

We also advise that you stop further communications with these imposters and forward any correspondence / proposal you receive from them to Mr. Roger Johnson in other for the FBI to bring justice to does still at large.
GOD BLESS US.
REGARDS.

Mr. Robert S.Mueller III

FBI DIRECTOR..

I still don't believe Obama is a secret Kenyan, but I think we should probably investigate the possibility that Mueller is a secret Nigerian.

Quote

From: [probably someone's real name that's been pwned; .edu E-Mail address]
Subject: Dear email user
To: [...]@award.com

Dear email user,

We the executive and staff of Amplicon Ltd (UK) wishes to specially congratulate you for being one of our annual gift/prize promotions.
You have won a total cash prize of £435,000 (Four hundred and thirty five thousand British Pounds)
Your lucky email was assigned the pin 680977 which won you the prize under our Consumer/General public category.
To redeem your prize, simply logon to our website using your specially assigned pin as found below.

WEBSITE : www.ampliconltd.[...]<http://www.ampliconltd.[...]/>
PIN : 680977

Congratulations,
Dr. Ian Scott [not the same name in the "From" field]
(Claims Agent)

And yes it has the website just like that, with the same URL twice in a row. Like it was written in HTML and then forwarded by somebody who had their composition settings at text-only.

Mongrel · « **Reply #196 on:** October 22, 2012, 08:34:43 AM »

"Our FBI ATM"

Ted Belmont · « **Reply #197 on:** October 23, 2012, 04:01:15 PM »

Quote from: kristie

I've got photos if you've got blood in your veins.

Thad · « **Reply #198 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:34:53 PM »

One of the cleverer bits of search spam I've seen recently: Use Chameleon Bootloader to Run Mac OS X 10.7: Install Mac OS X Lion

I read through the instructions a second time to confirm that they did not mention Chameleon at all and there was no link to a previous page. Then I caught the gibberish text at the top and realized it was skimmed.

Pretty solid fucking skim job, though; it's a perfectly good set of instructions on how to install OSX. It just doesn't have a damn thing to do with Chameleon.

Or Lion, come to think of it. Seeing as how Lion is an App Store download and you generally do not actually want to format the drive you're installing it to.

The point is, I need to go to bed because the last time I was sitting at a computer this tired and confused I wound up wiping the wrong hard drive.

Thad · « **Reply #199 on:** November 14, 2012, 11:43:26 PM »

Because I am rereading the thread instead of going to bed like I should:

Quote from: François on September 15, 2012, 11:19:05 AM

I pick up the phone, say "oui allô?". Long silence. Heavily accented female voice, sounds vaguely african, almost timid. "Good day sir. I call to inform you that there's a problem with your computer."

That's not even translated for your benefit. It's someone straight up calling me in English (which basically never happens). To tell me there's something wrong with my computer.

I went "I'm pretty sure there's not, goodbye", and hung up, but now I'm curious. Hmm. Wish I wasn't fundamentally too nice to mess with even probable scammers.

Ars recently had a couple good articles on this scam. The first was an overview of a recent FTC crackdown; coincidentally it was followed just hours later by another Ars writer actually getting one of the calls.

News:

Author Topic: Spam (Read 30367 times)