Feeling in somewhat of a sadistic mood, I read this email and thought….let’s have some fun. I’ve been always amused by the antics I read about from 419eater.com. I suggest you head on over and read a few stories. They are about the spammers getting baited back, often with hilarious results. I will be paying close attention to their Baiting Tips and see if I can keep myself amused.
First the stock spam email.
Since I use Gmail, and they are pretty smart cookies, I get a nice big warning even while in the spam box:
Warning: This message may not be from whom it claims to be. Beware of following any links in it or of providing the sender with any personal information. Learn more
Google wants to make sure you are very aware of this potential problem. But I digress…
Attention Winner
We wish to inform you that the United Nations Organization (UN) has
taking over the Inheritance/Winning payment issue in which you presently have
with your transaction agents. Your funds was withdrawn by UN on your behalf
based on the fact that you where subjected to too many process that will make
you spend more money before receiving your funds.Your Inheritance/Winning
payment was paid out to the United Nations Organization, and they have
succeeded in depositing your funds with us. They have ordered Western Union
to take full responsibility in the transfer process of your funds, and we
have received your application for the first installment of $5,600 USD from
the total amount of $380,000.00 USD, Three Hundred And Eighty Thousand United
States Dollars. For some security reasons ,we need you to reconfirm your
personal data’sFull Names**
Contact Address**
Country**
Telephone Number**
Age**before receiving the MTCN for the first installment, and we will email you
others after 24 hours of receiving each payment.Yours truly
Dr. Wilfred Davidson
E-mail: <spammeraddressdeleted>@yahoo.com.hk
For Western union payment Centers.
The first, and obvious, clue is the address of the recipient. ”Attention Winner”. Yeah, if I was some serious winner of any kind of prize, I’m pretty sure they’d be using my real name there.
The next clue is the organization that is purportedly being represented. The UN.
<insert sarcasm>Really?! The UN is wanting to GIVE ME MONEY? Wow…and just in time as I need a new roof for my house too! Sweet!!!</sarcasm>
Geeze, I could go on about all the dozens of other things that are just so wrong with the logic in this email (So, the United Nations uses Western Union eh?) that it would take away from getting to the fun times ahead! I decided to join 419eaters Mentor program. Ohh this will be sooo much fun! I’ll post updates as I have them!
****
Ok, I just created a fake person called Candice. She’s such a lovely lady but such a technological ditz as well as not too banking savvy….here is her reply:
Dear Dr Wilfred,
I think you have sent this to me by mistake? I did read the email quickly, then realised it was not for me so I deleted it for security reasons. I found it confusing but I did find your email interesting. Could you explain it to me please.Candice
Yes, she’s a little colour blind I’m afraid. So this bright blue on white will make things a little tense for our good Doctor in HongKong.
