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Nigerian Email Scammers Are More Effective Than Ever (wired.com)
You would think that after decades of analyzing and fighting email spam, there'd be a fix by now for the internet's oldest hustle -- the Nigerian Prince scam. But the problem, a new report suggests, has only grown to become more widespread and sophisticated. From the report: There's generally more awareness that a West African noble demanding $1,000 in order to send you millions is a scam, but the underlying logic of these "pay a little, get a lot" schemes, also known as 419 fraud, still ensnares a ton of people. In fact, groups of fraudsters in Nigeria continue to make millions off of these classic cons. And they haven't just refined the techniques and expanded their targets -- they've gained minor celebrity status for doing it.
On Thursday, the security firm Crowdstrike published detailed findings on Nigerian confraternities, cultish gangs that engage in various criminal activities and have steadily evolved email fraud into a reliable cash cow. The groups, like the notorious Black Axe syndicate, have mastered the creation of compelling and credible-looking fraud emails. Crowdstrike notes that the groups aren't very regimented or technically sophisticated, but flexibility and camaraderie still allow them to develop powerful scams.
On Thursday, the security firm Crowdstrike published detailed findings on Nigerian confraternities, cultish gangs that engage in various criminal activities and have steadily evolved email fraud into a reliable cash cow. The groups, like the notorious Black Axe syndicate, have mastered the creation of compelling and credible-looking fraud emails. Crowdstrike notes that the groups aren't very regimented or technically sophisticated, but flexibility and camaraderie still allow them to develop powerful scams.
A friend fell hard for an American nurse he meet over the Internet who works for a hospital in Nigeria. This "relationship" went on for a whole year. When he lost his job and started having financial difficulties, I found out about his Internet girlfriend and started asking his questions. It was too late. He wired his entire savings of $5K on the promise that he would get back his money plus $10K to "hold" for her until she got back to the US. When the check didn't show up, the amount that he would hold gradually increased to $20K. He got mad when I told him he got scammed by a Nigarian confidence scammer. The only proof that he has that this "woman" exist are pictures and texts. No video, no audio. A year later he is still waiting for his check, still thinks he has a girlfriend and believes that she is the victim of the Nigerian government because the president is too ill to sign anyone's paycheck.
The biggest problem for me is, I am an actual Nigerian Prince and I want to transfer several million out of the country, but I can't find anyone to take it because of all these fraudsters. All I want is for someone to send me $1000, and I'll send them 100 million of which they can keep 10%. But nobody believes me thanks to these crooks. Any tips?
Yea, send me the 100 Million as an electronic money transfer to the brokerage account I just opened for you, keeping $2000 in cash for yourself...To make the accounting easy, I've left it with a zero balance for now. I suggest you not use Western Union, but approach the bank where your money is on deposit, I'm sure if you really have that much on deposit, they can easily direct you into the proper way to do this, just show up in person. No, I won't take a check, not even a cashiers check, only electronic money transfers.
THEN, after I pay all the income taxes required by my country which takes at least a year, you are welcome to 90% of what's left.... Just show up at my door and provide proof that it's you. My address? Why yes, it's 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, come armed and tell the guards you won't take no as an answer and you don't need an appointment, they will take care of you.
"File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
If you have access to someone's inbox and a rough idea about the company's inner workings, it's not at all hard to impersonate that person convincingly.
Dearest Robert M. Jones in Engineering,
We are Sally from Accounting! It is with great mercy and humble that we hereby implore for the urgent help with a great matter. It is our uncle the dearest Reverend Robert Snabo from Customer Support who did thereby become gravely ill with the gall cancer, and we must remit a sum of $1,000,000 for his immediate curation. Due to the terrible situation here in Accounting, we would pleased to send you a cheque for the sum of $1,050,000, with the balance $50,000 Yours to keep if you will help us here in Accounting by cashing this cheque and forwarding the remainder sum of $1,000,000 to our agent who will henceby contact You.
We in Accounting are deeply religious and we know that You are an honourable person humble with God and that you may will help the dearest Reverend Robert Snabo of Customer Support with his cancer treatments.
Dearest blessings upon your family and may the Creator be with us in our time of great need, here in Accounting.
Yours in deepest condolence, Sally Jessica Green, Accounting.