Email fraudsters commonly use the names of people in the news, and the election of Barack Obama naturally led to a flurry of scams claiming to be connected with him in some way. In this example “Obama’s Foundation” wants to offer you a refund for having been a scam victim in the past — an example of the reverse-psychology approach that many scammers follow.
But why do you suppose a foundation associated with the United States president would have a return email address in China?
from: OBAMA’S FOUNDATION (info@foundation.com)
reply-to: obamafoundation49@9.cn
date: Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 11:49 PM
subject: Donation grant 2009Greetings to you,
On behalf of the Obama’s Foundation, we wish to notify you as a beneficiary of $99,000.00 USD in compensation of scam victims. Do contact Lloyds TSB Bank plc; London’s Branch for verification and release of your $99,000.00 USD that we have deposited
The account log on will be presented to you by the bank in order to access the funds before releasing into your nominated bank account.You will transfer the funds into your nominated account on-line as the Hlb Bank will provide the necessary information to you.Please if you are willing to accept the funds,do contact us Via: obamafoundation.49@9.cn
Yours Faithfully,
Mrs Joy Terry
Co-ordinator.
OBAMA’S FOUNDATION
Here at the Scam Hunter website (scamhunter.org) we document scam messages like the one above in order to help people stay safe from online frauds and scams.
Scammers depend on public ignorance to keep their scams alive. Please share our scam alerts with your friends, family, and coworkers today.
