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A new twist on an old scam

By: Qwaider

On:Tuesday, December 29, 2009 9:26:03 PM
In:Thoughts
Viewed: (5695) times

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Remember the Nigerian scam where someone would send you an email promising riches beyond your wildest imagination just for helping him get some money out of a trapped account? Well, these folks have not died, but their techniques sure have evolved. Here's the latest incarnation, playing on the very foundation of Islam and being good...

==== Actual message bellow =====

Asalamalekum Dear Friend,

I got your contact email through your country global international network and after going through your contact, my spirit tells me to contact you to assist me to build mosque in your country because i have promised Allah that i will build a mosque in any of the Arab land and i have now make up my mind to build it in your country.

My Name is Mr Ibrahim Ahmed, i am working with the American government.this is a little about me for now and i will tell you more about me as soon as you respond to me.

Lastly, i will want you to make inquiry of how much it will cost to buy a land in a good site in your country and as well, how much it will cost me to build the mosque and then you get back to me immediately.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Best Regards,
Mr Ibrahim Ahmed.

As you can see, the new message plays on a subject that is near and dear to every Muslim. Doing good to the society. A subject that might convince even the worst skeptic to play right along and end up being a fraud victim. But, this time not out of greed (as in all the older Nigerian scams) but out of trying to help out the community.

Of course what comes next is the exchange of bank account and where the crooks could empty the accounts.

I interject a quick thought, "using religion as a cover is not a new thing. It has been done as long as religion has existed".

Of course we've seen the same scam played out with little cancer girl requesting help, and I am assuming this is going to only proliferate even more

If there is one piece of advice I can give each and everyone who reads this it would be: Be skeptic! Be skeptic of anyone who contacts you asking for anything. Even if it wasn't monetary. Question their motives, challenge their identity and double and triple confirm that you're dealing with the right person through as many means as you can.

Don't allow your passion to do good, your drive to help or you greed to blind you from taking the right steps to ensure that you and your assets are protected, don't allow yourself to become another victim

Memories....

#1
jaraad
Said
On: 12/29/2009 11:38:11 PM
SpamScore=[-0.06]

Man, those scammers will never stop. I call this new scams technique "semantic scam" because they know the person they email. In this case they know you are a Muslim. I got an email from a friend (I know) asking for financial help after being robbed. It was a scam of course.

#2
KJ
Said
On: 12/30/2009 8:38:44 AM
SpamScore=[-0.73]

Seriously though the email is so poorly constructed I would just skip reading from the second line. "Global international network" LOL! Did he mean Facebook? :P