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Thursday, May 03, 2007

070 + 419 = double scam

These days almost everyone's pretty well-versed in the classic "419" scam: "I represent Mr ET and have come into US$12,000,000,000.00 (TWELVE BILLION DOLLARS) and need your help to repatriate the money from Mars"

And in the UK, the missed-call 070 scam is being addressed by Ofcom (where you get a "missed call" on your cellphone from what looks like a mobile number, but in fact costs you a packet to call)

So it's refreshing to see the spirit of innovation lives on in scamland - someone's now combining the two practices. I got this email today:

Hello

It gives me a great deal of pleasure to write you this mail
and even when it might come to you as a surprise, I hope you
find it of interest.

Let me first introduce myself.

My name is David Timms. I am an Executive Auditor with a Bank here in Europe, I would like to use this means to ask your assistance in moving some fund over to your country. [....]good percentage of the fund, it is important to let you know that fifty percent


[...] For effective communication, please
kindly include in your reply, your complete Names, Address,Occupation, Age and most especially your contact number


[...] David Timms
Tel:+44 704 011 [xxxx]
Reply to: [xxxx]
@crawler.com

So not only is someone trying to defraud me of money in a dodgy transaction, but he wants me to pay through the nose by using his 070 number during the negotiation.....

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous10:22 pm

    Hi Dean,
    I am still holding your money and looking forward to hearing from you on my mobile.

    Regards,
    David Timms

    ReplyDelete