This is an example of what I call a “mystery scam” — an approach that is becoming more popular among email scammers. (See more examples of mystery scams.) They try to hook you into replying with a very brief message, promising a mysterious benefit:
I seek your consent for an urgent business deal for you
Kind Regards
Chan Wei Sang
But why would someone named “Chan Wei Sang” be sending messages from the address of “Akhmed Dubayev” in Denmark? (That’s what the .dk address means.) The answer is that these email addresses are all phony or are hacked, and there really is no business deal — just a fraudster trying to separate you from your money.
This curious scam message combines a whole range of traditional scammer themes. “Tom Crist” has won a lottery, his wife was dying of cancer, and as a religious man he wants to share his wealth with you. Alas, it’s just another version of the old fashioned advance-fee fraud, designed not to spread his fortune but to grow it by picking your pocket.
Subject: My Bear Beneficiary, You Are My Lucky Winner.**
From: TOM CRIST FOUNDATION zkg663@alumni.ku.dk
Date: Tue, 05 May 2015 23:41:55 -0700
Reply-To: tomcristalert.15@rogers.com
I am Mr Tom Crist the Calgary Max Lotto Winner of 40 Million and i know this would come as a surprise to you but be rest assured that as a man who believes in the word of God i know that in my heart it is always better to give than to receive, see Luke 12:33-34.
i am writing to inform you that Google in alliance with MICROSOFT submitted your “Email” upon my request that you receive a Cheque/Check for $1million. in honor of my of his late wife Janice Crist, who died of cancer two years ago. see PROOF below;
Please forward your Full Names, Age, Address, Tel, Occupation and a check for $1million will be issued to you.
Sincerely,
Tom Crist
Retired CEO & Calgary Lotto Winner
We collect and document scam messages like these here at The Scam Hunter to help people around the world stay safe from online frauds and scams. Share this scam alert with your friends and coworkers today.
Please be aware that scammers often use the names of real people and legitimate businesses in their fraudulent messages. Why? To lend an air of legitimacy to their criminal enterprise. Just because the name of a real person or a real bank or a real government agency appears in a scam message that doesn't mean the person or organization in question is involved in the scam in any way. The scammers are just stealing these names in order to make themselves look legitimate.
