[sf-lug] Scam mails, gift cards

[Rick Moen]

A SF-LUG regular's former Yahoo Mail address got cracked.  (I've
redacted his name, below.)  The crooks immediately sent financial fraud
mail to the regular's contact list (all of it).  Things to note:

o  Request for a gift card is a tip-off because it's untraceable money.
   (Sending money via Western Union, ditto.)
o  The stilted "How are you?  Trust you are doing fine." language is
   classic scammer diction.
o  If you won't be using a "free" webmail account, close it, else
   your friends may be barraged by fraudmail if/when it gets cracked.
o  The "I couldn't figure out how to buy a Nike gift card online" 
   cover story doesn't stand up to five seconds of testing, but the
   scammers rely on victims not stopping to think.
o  Never just send money, anyway.  If in doubt, call the person.


----- Forwarded message from "[name redacted]" <[participant's old Yahoo address]> ----- 

Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:13:07 +0000 (UTC)
From: "[name redacted]" <[participant's old Yahoo address]>
Subject: Let me know - [name redacted]
Reply-To: "[name redacted]" <wwmmvvcc7890 at gmail.com>
X-Mailer: WebService/1.1.19894 YMailNorrin

  
How are you?

 

Trust you are doing fine.  

 

I need to get a Nike gift card for my nephew, it's his birthday but I can't do this now because my knee hurts badly, I missed my foot while climbing the stairs. I have tried to purchase it online but unfortunately have no luck with that, can you get it from any store around you OR Order one online, I'll pay you back as soon as possible.  

 
Let me know if you can help with this.  
[name redacted]


----- End forwarded message -----