This scam message leaves enough to the imagination to make the content seem plausible. A whiff of plausibility is often the key to a successful scam. Everyone knows Iraq is a dangerous war zone, and we can sympathize with someone who may want to get his family out of the country. But the message still shows many hallmarks that are the giveaways of a scam: it comes out of the blue from someone you don’t know; the from-address is different from the reply-to address; and the reply-to address is a free email account in a third country (yahoo.com.hk). In addition, the supposed originating address, bestoonibrahim.org, doesn’t exist.
from: Mr. Bestoon Ibrahim (info@bestoonibrahim.org)
reply-to: mr.bestoonibrahim@yahoo.com.hk
date: Fri, Sep 25, 2009 at 11:03 AMGood Day,
I am Mr. Bestoon Ibrahim Hamarahim a member of a strategic committee in a major industry in Iraq, I seek your partnership because of an urgent need to move my family out of Iraq due to the deteriorating security situation and the strong prospect of a civil war if the U.S. finally pulls out their troops. To indicate your interest or request more details, please contact me by e-mail: mr.bestoonibrahim@yahoo.com.hk
Thank you,
Bestoon Ibrahim Hamarahim
