Some scams are just so obvious (or at least should be) and this one is no exception. Just look at the vast amount of spelling mistakes, poor grammar and the feeble attempt to part you and your money. When reading such an email – like all scam emails – look for the most obvious clues. Putting aside the pathetic attempt at grammar and spelling, we have a scam claiming that you won a lottery held by Western Union. Western Union does not hold any such lottery and you would find that out with just a couple minutes on the Western Union website. And even if there were such a lottery that you didn’t enter, they don’t even know your real name but claim you as a winner – that’s when you know something is up.

If you get the following scam email just delete it and move on. Well, get a chuckle out of how poorly crafted it is before deleting if you like – it’s got to be good for something.

Hello Dear Valuable Client,

Am peter king of western union money transfer manager in west africa am here to inform you that you were been emerge as one of the 5 lucky winner of the 2010/2011 award winning notification,in which your email address was randomly selected through our microsoft computer database system;this qualify you to be among the 5 lucky winner so for this i congratulate you for this huge priveledge you have.

I want you to bear it in mind that your fund money is $3.6m usd and the United Nation (UN),Federal Bereau Investigation (FBI) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) were aware and supported this offer so there is no need for you to doubt this and also you need to be very careful if someone told you such things like this please do ignore it because they are scammer and fraudlers and no one as the access to this award except me,so right now your money is available for pick up and we need your quick urgent response in as to send you a hardcopy consignment to your domain.

below are the items required from you in as to enhance the consignment get to your domain asap without any delay from us here.

FULL NAME:..

FULL ADDRESS:…

OCCUPATION:…

INT’L PASSPORTY OR IDENTITY:…

HOME & OFFICE NUMBER:……

Note that you are given 100% assurance by the above mentioned international security agent to make sure that this money get to you without any delay from us here,so once all this is been receive by you it will take not less than 4 hours while your money will get to your door step.

I will be strongly waiting to hear from soonest,have a great day and once again i congratulate you for this great priveledge you have.

Best Regard,

PETER KING

W.U.M.T MANAGER.

Welcome to western union money transfer inc is a post from: Get Rich Fast

The email attempts to convince you to click on the links contained within it and be lead to a specially crafted website in order to steal your EasyWeb login credentials. Once they have this they will attempt to get into your real bank account and create further havoc by stealing your money and identity.

The scam uses one of the usual bank login detail stealing scams of saying your account password was changed. As with all of these emails don’t follow the links as the website may also try to install malware onto your computer.

The full scam email is below. The links lead to – flangetastic.com/thumbsclips/EasyWeb.htm and not the TD Canada Trust bank website. This scam website will not stay online long as the scammers hotlinked the images directly from the TD website! Not too bright.

Online Access Password Reset

Thank you for banking online at tdcanada trust bank. Our records indicate that you have recently reset your Password online. This email has been sent to confirm that you initiated this change.

If you feel you have received this email in error and you did not reset your Password, please go to tdcanada easyweb secure site and verify your details immediately or logon below

Thanks again for choosing EasyWeb TDCanada Bank

Service Team
TD Group Financial Services site – Copyright © TD

As part of our commitment to securing information about you, TDCanada Trust will never send any non-requested emails asking you to provide, update your personal, account or other confidential information.

Online Access Password Reset Confirmation is a post from: Get Rich Fast

The link claims to lead to a BBC News article but instead leads to a compromised server hosting a specially crafted attack website page. If your Internet browser and computer security are not up to date you may be a victim without even noticing. Resist the urge to click links in emails that are even a slight bit suspicious.

The full email is below.
clydesider i`m not commin` and gunnin`

Subject –
i thought, why be like everyone else, why not write on the divider, who needs lines, why not be different. so here i am, writing on the divider and it’s ok, it’s also ok if somebody sees it and ask

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-uk-04001346

The fake BBC link actually leads to a compromised server at fileave.com.

BBC News Article Email is a post from: Get Rich Fast

This scam email tries to trick you into logging into their fake website. They don’t even go to great lengths to try to hid the scam website which resides on yet another hacked website and server. The scammer is attempting to get you to sign over your banking details at – saurabhsaxena.com/www.scotiaonline.scotiabank.com.pcbanking.reqOption-SCLoginSSL.action-display.token – notice the beginning of the url – that is the scam site. Do not ever visit these sites as they could also be trying to install malware or other viruses onto your computer by viewing them with unsecured browsers.

The only attempt to make the email look official comes with their addition of French instructions in the email along with real links to Scotia Bank. It’s the one single link that is masked that will lead to the fake website.

If you have already gone to that website and filled in your personal banking details you will need to contact both your bank and your local police department and notify them of what has taken place.

The scam email is noted in full below.

Your ScotiaCard was used for an Interac Debit for $7.82. If unrecognized, call 1-800-4SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842). Please check your Account Details on Scotia OnLine for more information.

Please do not reply to this email. This is an outgoing message only. To make any changes to your InfoAlerts setup, please login to Scotia OnLine or call 1-800-4SCOTIA (1-800-472-6842). You can also visit scotiabank.com/infoalerts for general information about the service. To ensure that future email messages from Scotia InfoAlerts are not diverted to bulk or junk mail folders, please add InfoAlerts@scotiabank.com to your online address book.
This email may contain confidential information the use of which by an unintended recipient is unauthorized. For details please go to http://www.scotiabank.com/email_disclaimer/email_english.html

Cette transmission peut contenir de l’information confidentielle et son utilisation par toute personne autre que la personne à laquelle cette transmission est destinée est interdite. Pour plus de détails, veuillez vous diriger vers http://www.scotiabank.com/email_disclaimer/email_francais.html

Este correo electrónico puede contener información confidencial cuyo uso por parte de personas distintas de los destinatarios del mismo está prohibido. Para más detalles, por favor dirigirse a http://www.scotiabank.com/email_disclaimer/email_espanol.html

Scotiabank Alert: Your ScotiaCard Was Used – Email Scam is a post from: Get Rich Fast

Anyways, the latest Scotia Bank scam email is noted below. You will quickly see why we are calling these guys morons.

It comes with an attachment – online-banking-verification-scotia-bank.html or some variation there of. They also attempt to have the same form load in your email and if you have enabled html you will probably see it right away. For good measure and extra security you should turn this feature off or at least set it so that you have to enable it for each email yourself. Thunderbird for example does this for you in a simple manner. Do not open the attachment – never open such attachments!

As always notice it’s not actually addressed to anyone – let alone you. It contains no customer numbers and is full of spelling/grammar mistakes. The email return address has been faked and links lead to a hacked website which is being used as a vector to collect stolen information from you so that they can drain your accounts.

Dear Customer,

Scotia Bank is informing all internet banking customers to verify and update there account information for our security update.

Please download our secure page to login your account details and make sure you complete the process as your interest is our concern.

Note: This verification process must not be ignored but if you choose then you leave us no choice to suspend your online account.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this action may have caused.

Regards,
Scotia Bank Internet Banking

New Scotia Bank Email Scam is a post from: Get Rich Fast

This scam email gives a link which claims to be for your your online banking account but leads to http://202.28.24.134/XXX-scam-link. That IP address leads to an infected computer in Thailand from the KKU.AC.TH in Chiang Mai. A website has been setup to mimic your normal TD Canada Trust login and this is where they will steal your personal details and then attempt to drain your account dry.

As always with any email you suspect is fake and a scam attempt read it carefully. There are always clues. This one has a glaring example of the stupidity and haste to which these scammer morons act to always try to lure in more people. They don’t check their emails very carefully for this one clearly says at the bottom – Scotia Bank, Member FDIC. Why would the TD Canada Trust bank be putting Scotia Bank stuff in their emails? Of course they wouldn’t but lazy scammers who don’t know better will.

The scam email is below. If you get a similar email do not click the link in it. If you already have and filled in their form, you need to immediately contact your TD Canada Trust branch and tell them you were tricked. Call the customer service line right now – do not wait!

Notification: Re-Enroll your Account Information

You last logged in to Online Banking:

For your security, access to Online Banking has been locked because the number of attempts to sign in exceeded the number allowed. To regain access to your online banking, Please visit “fake link removed” and update your information.

Your security is important to us. If you are not aware of this situation, please contact us immediately at 1.800.933.6262.

This alert relates to your Online Banking profile, rather than a particular account. The account listed here is for verification purposes only.

Want to confirm this email is from Td Canada Trust?
Sign in to Online Banking and go to Alerts. The Alerts History lists the Alerts sent to you in the past 60 days.

Want to get more alerts? Sign in to your online banking account at TD Canada Trust and within the Accounts Overview page select the “Alerts” tab.

Because email is not a secure form of communication, please do not reply to this email.
If you have any questions about your account or need assistance, please call the phone number on your statement or go to Contact Us at TD Canada Trust.

This email was routed through sbcglobal.net – which we encounter often as they are prolific email spammers.

TD Canada Trust Email Scam is a post from: Get Rich Fast

First the message:

Dear PayPal Customer,

We have recently determined that various computers connect to your PayPal account, password, and the present of chess more taient before the connection. Now we need to confirm the new information from your PayPal account. If not completed within 48 hours, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, because it can be used in a fraudulent intent. Thank you for your comprehention in this way. To confirm your online account:

HACKED SERVER LINK REMOVED

It’s clearly written by someone who is either seven years old or where English is not their first language. As with all email scams that should always clue you in – major companies do not send out emails in broken English.

But where this one gets amusing when looking at the source code of the email. It’s clear they have hijacked someone’s hosting account and are using it for their crime attempt. But looking closer we see that in an attempt to make the email look like an official one from PayPal they have linked DIRECTLY to the PayPal image server! Doh!

Keeping yourself and your PayPal account secure is easy – use long very hard passwords and change them often. Don’t use PayPal via unsecured wireless networks or shared computers. And if you are unsure about something with your account – never click on a link in an email to matter how convincing it may seem. Go directly to PayPal.com yourself.

PayPal Scams Via Email is a post from: Get Rich Fast

As with all scam emails this one has tell-tale signs that should alert you to the scam they are trying. This is your classic – you are a winner but need to send information to get your prize. You will almost always find with these scams that you will also have to send some type of payment for some reason such as taxes, handling costs etc. Thing is – even after you meet these requirements the money never comes. They may even ask for a second round of payments with the promise that your money is indeed on the way. Don’t fall for it.

The scam email is below. The UN – United Nations – does not give away money to random people in junction with anybody. Nor do they give away money by themselves to individuals via email. If you get this email – it is a scam, do not respond and if you have, you will need to contact your local police department as soon as possible.

Caltex Oil Malaysia Limited
Level 3, Menara Millennium,
8 Jalan Damanlela,
Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur

Congratulation you have been selected in the on-going Caltex oil companies poverty alleviation program 2011,and you have been awarded $852,000.00USD for your own business and community development.

Note: This program is in line with the Caltex 51 years anniversary program. Caltex in conjunction with the United Nations Organization (UNO) and the European union (EU) is giving out a yearly donation of $852,000.00 USD as specific Donations/Grants to 7 lucky international recipients worldwide in different categories for their personal Business development and uplift of their environment,and atleast 30% to be used by you to develop a part of your environment, as this is a yearly program which is a measure of universal development strategy and eradication of poverty.

For the past six years,Caltex has affected over 4500 families positively with this program. As with this done yearly to over a hundred recipients, this world will be a better place to live in the next 20 to 25 years.

CONTACT OUR CLAIMS PROCESSING OFFICER IMMEDIATELY FOR CLAIMS:

Mr. Ahmad Yazid
TEL:+60 143 457 907
EMAIL: caltex.oil.malaysia@zh8844.com

You are also advised to provide her with the under listed information as soon as possible

NAME IN FULL:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
AGE:
SEX:
PHONE:
OCCUPATION:

We are glad to have you as one of our lucky winners.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Mohamed Lee
Online Coordinator.

Lucky Seven Email Scam is a post from: Get Rich Fast

The email is trying to entice you to use a form contained within the email to send your private details for your banking account to the scammers. Your bank will never do this. Let’s repeat that – your bank will never send an email with a form asking you to fill it out. Never.

The enticement is one we see often – they say your account has been charged some amount that you will obviously see as one you didn’t make. They want you to throw caution to the wind while being upset about charges to your account. If you are ever unsure about your account – go to your local branch and inquire there or use the official website for your bank. Never download or open anything from an email like this, never fill out the forms and never visit any website listed.

The scam email is shown below. If you get this email it is a scam. It is being sent from a compromised website server – advancedsports.com.tw which resides at 211.20.130.233.

SCOTIA BANK AND ROYAL BANK OF CANADA

12/30/2010

Debit Draft # **4403

This is your confirmation notification that you have successfully submitted a One Time Debit Order Request in the amount of $837.18 for 01/05/2011 . Please assure that you have funds available on that date in your account. To cancel or Stop this DEBIT ORDER you must DOWNLOAD the secure Debit Order Cancellation Attachment above and fill in the account confirmation update in order for us to be able to Cancel the $837.18 Debit Order Deduction registered to be Deduct from your Account on 01/05/2011 .

Please Make sure you Open One of the TWO Financial Institution Attachment to view the Terms and Conditions for Debit Order statements.

163382002 Debit Order Request $837.18 Payment Due on 01/05/2010 Bill Detail Payment History Billing History
Processing Time: DEBIT ORDER HOLDING FOR CONFIRMATION #A Description: DRAFT

Canadian Debit Order Bank, a division of Bank.
An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider (NCRCP20).

© 2010 Debit Order Review Department.

Thank You for your Banking

SCOTIA BANK AND ROYAL BANK OF CANADA is a post from: Get Rich Fast

Often the scam will involve some attempt at cloaking the actual destination of any outbound links from the body of the email. Usually these are easily spotted by mousing your cursor over the link and reading the destination address in the footer bar of your browser or email client. Though some more clever scammers will try to avoid this by other means or by relying on those unaware of how to increase the security of their email clients and browsers. Whenever possible set your email client or browser to display in plain text and/or the full source code. That way you can view exactly where the outbound addresses lead.

Some more inventive scammers will go a bit further and will register domain names that are confusingly similar to the real thing. But with a bit of education and time you will quickly learn how to spot these as well. And the dead giveaway is always the domain name extension.

A domain name extension is always the last part after the “.” in a website address before the first trailing slash. For example this website uses the extension “ca” which is reserved for Canada. Scammers will try to cloak this by maybe even including the actual website address in their own url address by using subdomains:

Some further examples:
www.canada.gc.ca.imascammer.net/fake
In this example the domain extension is .net. Notice its location furthermost to the right and immediately before the first trailing slash.

www.canadarevenueagency..co.cc/
For this example the domain extension is .co.cc

We are all familiar with the most popular domain extensions like “com”, “net” and “org”. But when it comes to fake Government of Canada websites the one you need to remember is “gc.ca”. That domain name extension is reserved solely for the use by the Canadian government. If the email you get doesn’t have that as the domain name extension and is claiming to be from the Canadian government – it is a fake.

You can even go further to protect yourself if you are still unsure. You can visit the .gc.ca registry and confirm the domain exists in the official registry. Find the registry here – http://registre-registry.gc.ca/accueil-home_eng

One thing to never do though is even out of curiosity – is to click the links found in these emails or visit those websites. They are likely candidates for other nefarious activity like virus and trojan transmission to your website browser and computer.

How To Identify Fake Canadian Government Websites is a post from: Get Rich Fast