Scams like these

Received a call from a lovely indian woman from 0794241304 on my home phone yesterday who said she was from Telstra to discuss problems with my internet connection. Given that my home phone is not with Telstra, I told her in no uncertain terms to leave immediately.

2 mins later, she rang back on 0767213013 and left a message on my answer machine suggesting that I was having sex with my mother and something about inserting things into the seventh planet from the sun.

Noice I thought!

Audio available on request! :)
 
Late yesterday afternoon (Perth time) I received an email, supposedly from NAB, about my Visa card being scammed. It used the correct spelling of my name and the last 4 numbers of my Visa card and a contact number for Fraud Assist. It didn't look very convincing but not rubbish like some scams. I checked the phone numbers provided in the email and they didn't coincide with the NAB website. I rang NAB's fraud assist number but they were closed for the evening.

I still wanted to be sure so I rang the premium/platinum line and got through to a real person.
It turned out the the sms was from NAB and that my account had been blocked due to fraudulent activity. $1500+ spent at Spotlight South Melbourne, another $40+ dollars at a tailor which triggered the block. There were four more attempts which didn't go through, including Apple and Microsoft. I guess the scammers gave up after 4 unsuccessful tries.

This morning, the two original frauds had been removed from my account, the other four had failed.

I am now waiting for a replacement card, up to 10 days.

The gentleman from NAB said the email is written in a friendly way, so I guess that's why it looked like a scam to me.

I wonder what you could spend $1500+ on at Spotlight and how the scammers convert that to cash.
 
My phone has been very quiet since I pulled the plug out 8 months ago. Don't miss it at all.
Hmmm, your comment triggered a memory. Our landline got in the way of a renovation, January 2019. I meant to reinstate but have just realised I never did. No wonder it's been quiet! Downside is that I suspect when I dig into it, I'm going to find we've been paying a monthly fee for a disconnected wire!
 
I do not answer the land line, if they want to find me they will.
A steady increase in junk calls and messages saw me set the phone to reject anyone not in my contacts..leads to...
a fairly important call, content wise, that the phone rejected…damned if you doos and damned if you doosn't ..
 
I do not answer the land line, if they want to find me they will.
A steady increase in junk calls and messages saw me set the phone to reject anyone not in my contacts..leads to...
a fairly important call, content wise, that the phone rejected…damned if you doos and damned if you doosn't ..
Like you I figure if someone wants to contact me they will by other means.
 
My phone has been very quiet since I pulled the plug out 8 months ago. Don't miss it at all.
Our land line is permanently unplugged after we suffered through seemingly never ending telemarketing calls. I don’t answer the mobile unless I recognise the number or it’s a contact as they’ve been scam and sales calls on it as well now.
 
Warning: I received the following message on my mobile today from an "Australian" identified number.
"Apologies that I took so long to send this to you" followed by an https//link .

I don't care who might have sent it. It does not identify the sender at all so I have blocked the number. Looks like a scam, so beware.
 
This is the latest attempt at extortion:

Greetings!

I have to share bad news with you.
Approximately few months ago I have gained access to your devices, which you use for internet browsing.
After that, I have started tracking your internet activities.

Here is the sequence of events:
Some time ago I have purchased access to email accounts from hackers (nowadays, it is quite simple to purchase such thing online).
Obviously, I have easily managed to log in to your email account <removed>.

One week later, I have already installed Trojan virus to Operating Systems of all the devices that you use to access your email.
In fact, it was not really hard at all (since you were following the links from your inbox emails).
All ingenious is simple. =)

This software provides me with access to all the controllers of your devices (e.g., your microphone, video camera and keyboard).
I have downloaded all your information, data, photos, web browsing history to my servers.
I have access to all your messengers, social networks, emails, chat history and contacts list.
My virus continuously refreshes the signatures (it is driver-based), and hence remains invisible for antivirus software.

Likewise, I guess by now you understand why I have stayed undetected until this letter...

While gathering information about you, I have discovered that you are a big fan of adult websites.
You really love visiting cough websites and watching exciting videos, while enduring an enormous amount of pleasure.
Well, I have managed to record a number of your dirty scenes and montaged a few videos, which show the way you cough and reach coughs.

If you have doubts, I can make a few clicks of my mouse and all your videos will be shared to your friends, colleagues and relatives.
I have also no issue at all to make them available for public access.
I guess, you really don't want that to happen, considering the specificity of the videos you like to watch, (you perfectly know what I mean) it will cause a true catastrophe for you.

Let's settle it this way:
You transfer $1500 USD to me (in bitcoin equivalent according to the exchange rate at the moment of funds transfer), and once the transfer is received, I will delete all this dirty stuff right away.
After that we will forget about each other. I also promise to deactivate and delete all the harmful software from your devices. Trust me, I keep my word.

This is a fair deal and the price is quite low, considering that I have been checking out your profile and traffic for some time by now.
In case, if you don't know how to purchase and transfer the bitcoins - you can use any modern search engine.

Here is my bitcoin wallet: <removed>

You have less than 48 hours from the moment you opened this email (precisely 2 days).

Things you need to avoid from doing:
*Do not reply me (I have created this email inside your inbox and generated the return address).
*Do not try to contact police and other security services. In addition, forget about telling this to you friends. If I discover that (as you can see, it is really not so hard, considering that I control all your systems) - your video will be shared to public right away.
*Don't try to find me - it is absolutely pointless. All the cryptocurrency transactions are anonymous.
*Don't try to reinstall the OS on your devices or throw them away. It is pointless as well, since all the videos have already been saved at remote servers.

Things you don't need to worry about:
*That I won't be able to receive your funds transfer.
- Don't worry, I will see it right away, once you complete the transfer, since I continuously track all your activities (my trojan virus has got a remote-control feature, something like TeamViewer).
*That I will share your videos anyway after you complete the funds transfer.
- Trust me, I have no point to continue creating troubles in your life. If I really wanted that, I would do it long time ago!

Everything will be done in a fair manner!

One more thing... Don't get caught in similar kind of situations anymore in future!
My advice - keep changing all your passwords on a frequent basis
 
I wonder what you could spend $1500+ on at Spotlight and how the scammers convert that to cash.
My wife could spend $1,500 at Spotlight in a heartbeat. She does every time there's a member 40% off sale :D She's a quilter, so there's always something that she wants...

They probably are making their own clothes now on a brand new sewing machine with their new fabric...
 
My email today (the good stories really have dropped off lately):

From Ms. Angelika Haas
Austria House Building,
European Quarters, Ikoyi
Lagos, Nigeria.

Greetings to you,

May the peace of God be with you and your family. I am Mrs. Angelika Haas, a widow from Grieskirchen Austria, I am 41 years old. I'm married to Dr.

Freese Gunter Haas who worked with Austrian Embassy in Republic of Nigeria for Thirteen years before he died in the year 2014. We were married for fifteen years without a child, When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of USD 7,300.000.00. (Seven Million, Three Hundred Thousand United States Dollars Only) in a bank in Republic of Nigeria. Presently this money is still in bank.

Recently my doctor told me that I would not last for the next Six months due to cancer problem.,The one that disturbs me most is my stroke sickness, Having known my condition I decided to WILL/Donate this fund to you on charity purpose , I want you to utilize this money the way I am going to instruct herein, I want you to use this money to fund churches,LESS-PRIVILEGES ,orphanages, schools,disabled People, and widows propagating the word Of God and to ensure that the house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to understand that blessed is the hand that giveth. I took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money.

Presently, I'm in an American hospital here in Republic of Nigeria, where I have been taking treatment for this sickness. As soon as I receive your reply and confirm your acceptance to work as I instruct herein., I shall give you all the relevant information that will authorize the transfer of the total sum of USD 7,300.000.00 to you on charity's purposes.

30% of the fund is for you and your family, if you will accept to do this humanitarian work. You will promised me that you will not disappoint me when the fund will be transferred to your bank account there in your country, and you will also assured me that you will use 70% of the money for the said purpose.

Email me back immediately for further details.

Remain Blessed

Yours Faithfully,

Ms. Angelika Haas

I couldn't be that charitable and spend 70% on humanitarian work...
 
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Got a phone call from what sounded like an Indian lady asking if I was Buzz.
Yes I said, would you like to go out on a date? No she said, I want to talk to you about solar. Oh I said, I thought you wanted my service and played with her for a while, never being rude or explicit, just offering a male by the hour for companionship, special price today only.
She said this call is being recorded and you can't talk to me like that.
So I said well you rang me, I didn't ring you. She hung up.
A friend sitting with me was doubled over with laughter.
 
Got a phone call from what sounded like an Indian lady asking if I was Buzz.
Yes I said, would you like to go out on a date? No she said, I want to talk to you about solar. Oh I said, I thought you wanted my service and played with her for a while, never being rude or explicit, just offering a male by the hour for companionship, special price today only.
She said this call is being recorded and you can't talk to me like that.
So I said well you rang me, I didn't ring you. She hung up.
A friend sitting with me was doubled over with laughter.
A good list of other ways to manage Telemarketers - No 5 is funny but harmless
20 Responses to Use With Telemarketers
 
Today's email:

Greetings Please.

I apologize for getting in touch with you in this unsolicited manner but I do have a proposition that I would like to discuss with you. I have certain funds and gold bar that need to be moved out of Ghana immediately my name is Marts Morrison.

I am currently in refugees’ camp here in Ghana, looking to partner with somebody to assist me in this in receiving this for investment purposes. Please note that it is not criminal in any way, nor will either of us be breaking any laws. I am willing to handsomely compensate you for your assistance after you receive the funds and the gold bar in your country of origin.

Please contact me with email address below for more details;

E-mail: {deleted}

Thank you ,

Marts M.

Regards,

This email has been scanned Barracuda Antispam Firewall provided by Swazi.net


I thought that it was going to be Swaziland (from the actual email sent address, .co.sz) and I was sort of right (didn't know it has changed it's name to Eswatini): sz country code - Google Search
 
Who would have known the UN Secretary General had my personal email and was concerned enough to offer me $2.5M as covid compensation from billionaires.



United Nations Organization

405 East 42nd Street,

New York, NY, 10017, USA

Our Ref: IMF/WB/UN/XWFD/0611/X012

Attention Email Owner :

The European Union (EU) and United States Government in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations (UN) and the World Bank, has joined forces as Global Fund Recovery Management and Payment Bureau to tackle the present CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ravaging the world,by compensating you as one of the selected verified beneficiaries that is to enjoy a wonderful philanthropy gesture from billionaires within Asia, America, Africa, Oceania and Europe,of being compensated with the sum of Two Million, Five hundred thousand United States dollars only (US$2,500,000.00) .

It may interest you to know that your name has been out-listed among the beneficiaries to benefit from our newly invented program curb poverty that is associated with the after effect of CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC. This program was invented to help fight against the abuse of legal human right by those who are privileged to override the trust of the less privilege. This body was set up to discover all outstanding unpaid funds being owed to Governments and Individuals all over the world.

This group is responsible for investigating all reports, the legitimacy of contracts, inheritance and lotto winning claims by companies and individuals and directs the paying authorities worldwide to make immediate payment of verified claims to the beneficiaries without further delay or hitch, so as to make the world a better place at this trying times. You are being legally and legitimately contacted today, regarding the process and release of your long awaited fund. Be kindly informed that after a careful detailed review of your file, we have authorized the paying financial institution (United States Department of the Treasury) to process and release your fund for immediate transfer to you via a telephone banking portal, which will be issued in your name, the moment your reply is received.

This payment method initiated, is to stop the practice of the past and the unnecessary delay on your payment and to ensure that your payment is not manipulated. This way you will not have to go through the rigorous process most people went through in the past.

To further ensure you receive your compensation fund as the beneficiary, we implore that you get back to us with your re-confirmed personal and bank details as stated below, which is being requested to be sure of accuracy about your right details to effect transfer of funds as the case may be :

Kindly provide your Personal information below:
1: Your First Name...............

2: Your Middle Name................

3: Your Last Name...............

4: Your Complete Home Address..............

5: Your Home Tel No...............

6: Your Cell Phone No.............

7: Your date of birth (D.O.B)...............

8: Your Occupation.............

9: Marital Status ...............

10. Country of Residence.................

Details of your telephone banking account information to access your balance via your telephone will be provided through the United States Department of the Treasury, with further instructions from us, the moment we read back from you, confirming this transaction.

Be informed that this matter is very urgent and important, so we are waiting to hear from you today. Note that because Of impostors, we hereby issued you our Code of Conduct, Which Is (GLOBAL-0611/X012).So you have to indicate this code when contacting us by using it as your subject line for identification and security purpose.

Finally, you have been warned to STOP every communication you have with anyone now as regards to your payment release.

Your earliest response will be a very big advantage to you!!!

Congratulations!!!

Antonio Guterres
Secretary-General
United Nations Organization.
 
A spike in spam calls this week. Mostly around 7pm - my phone indicates "suspected fraud" so I just reject it, but I had one yesterday around 1pm when I was in the car, so I answered - the lady claimed to be from NBN. I hung up immediately. Double checked my call register and it said private number. I figured if it really was NBN they'd ring back ;)
 

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