Email Scams Go Hi Tech
In my time, I’ve received a fair share of email scams sent to me personally (since I was especially chosen by the scamster) or forwarded to me by well-meaning friends or family members who thought it wise to include me in their winning streak. My usually response is to hit the ReportSpam button, and inform the friend/family about websites like Snopes.com so that they can run a cursory check for themselves before firing the email off to a hundred others.
This time was different. I was impressed with Stan’s approach of using a relatively-unique angle, but even more than that, was impressed with his using a Google Spreadsheets link to gather the data from his victims. As it turned out, it wasn’t much of a form, but the concept is progressive, don’t you think? :
From: Stan Benson
Reply to: stan.benson36@gmail.comHi, my name is Stan Benson from Sydney, Australia, I am an E.C. patient, and presently hospitalized, my doctor says I have a few months to live, and I desire to stay within the confinement of my hospital room and live out my last days on earth quietly. I asked that my hospital room be equipped with a laptop so that I can take care of some outstanding issues. One of which is my desire to donate a sizable amount of money to cancer research institutes and other deserving charity organizations, so I decided to go online and find some one remotely afar who can receive the funds and disburse the money to cancer research institutes and other deserving charity organizations. Consider my present predicament which I have just narrated to you and pardon me for contacting you through such means, if you are interested in my offer; just send an email to my email box (stan.benson36@gmail.com) indicating your wiliness to assist me, by doing so I will be able to reply your mail as soon as possible.
By the way the full meaning of (EC) is Esophageal Cancer, and don’t mind the time taken from your busy schedule to work with me on this sole act of charity, because you will surely be compensated. Just get in touch with me as soon you get my mail and I will send you more details.
Kind Regards,
Stan BensonI’ve invited you to fill out the form From: Stan Benson. To fill it out, visit:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dF8yVW5oTGh4b3pqeXIwSERBMUF4MkE6MA
Needless to add, it’s a scam! Don’t even think about entering any details in Mr. Benson’s online form…
Hey,
I recieved the same email, and as i am working for an NGO, for a moment i thought it might be genuine. But when i googled, i found it another one of the email scams. Got to read the same on your blog as well. Thanks for sharing it.
Prachi