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Just how stupid do these people think we are?

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Just how stupid do these people think we are?

from JoeUser Forums

I got an email from PayPal this morning threatening to terminate my account.  I've recieved emails from PayPal before - every single time I purchase something from eBay or Etsy, actually - and I'm familiar with the layout and terminology PayPal uses. So, when I opened this latest email it was immediately obvious to me that this was NOT PayPal contacting me but a phishing scam. 

The following is the copied and pasted text of the email:

Dear PayPal Customer,
For the User Agreement, Section 9, we may immediately issue a warning, temporarily suspend or terminate your membership and refuse to provide our services to you if we believe that your actions may cause financial loss or legal liability for you, our users or us.
Our terms and conditions you agreed to state that your service mus! t always be under your control or those you designate all times. We have noticed some unusual activity related to your service that indicates other parties may have access and or control of your informations in your service.
We recently noticed one or more attempts to log in to your PayPal Account, service from a foreign IP adress. If you recently accessed your service while traveling, the unusual log in attempts may have been initiated by you. Please Confirm your account as soon as possible to restore your account status.
The log in attempt was made from:
ISP host : c-64-154-34-134.hsfgd1.il.comcast.net
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain the integrity of the entire system. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Please do not reply to this e-mail. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
To Confirm your account click o! ne of th e links below, each link is for specified locations. If you don't know your location and get page error, try other link location.

See the spelling and grammatical errors throughout the text?  The random '!'s' where they don't belong - like in the middle of words? 

When I hovered my mouse over the links the email provided, 'www.hattrick.com' was the url displayed.  Yeah, that aint PayPal's url.  Not even close.  I haven't tried to trace the IP address yet, but that's only 'cause I'm too lazy to do it right now.

I'm offended.  This is a shoddy attempt to gain people's passwords and financial details; I think that you'd have to be either incredibly stupid or insanely naive about the way the internet works to really think that this is a genuine PayPal alert. 

Just how stupid do these scammers think that people are?  From the contents of this email, it seems obvious that they must think we're all pretty dumb, that we're all a bunch of morons who will just clickety-click-click-click on every link we see and go around giving our bank, credit card and other financial details out to all and sundry.

C'mon guys.  Give us some credit.  If you're going to try to scam us, at least make it a decent attempt, will ya?

 

internet
53,055 views 29 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Mark my words....
It'll happen...


You were right!.....no binin' it this time......

Thanks for the advice.....  

Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top

An exchange with a Nigerian scammer some of you may remember:-

After seeing a good way to deal with the Nigerian Scammers at the Shellcity forum, I thought I'd give it a go when I next got one. Here is the mail I got followed by the reply I sent...


Dear Sir,

INVESTMENT OFFER

In appreciation of your esteemed contact receivedthrough a reliable
source and the choice of your country I wish to introduce myself, I am
Kishali William Kabila the son of the late Democratic Republic of Congo
President Laurent Desire Kabila of the blessed memory.

I know this letter might come to you as a surprise but I honestly do
not intend to surprise you. I write this letter in respect of my
intention to invest the sum of US$25M(Twenty Five Million United State Dollars)
with you.I inherited this money from my mother. This money was got
through the smuggling and sale of Diamond and Timber when my father was the
head of state. My mother though not her legal wife used her privilege
position to engage in the business of Diamond and Timber since she knows
that her survival will depend on how much she can get out of the
privilege situation.

When my father was assassinated on 16TH Jan. 01 by one of his
bodyguards Lt. Rashidi Kasereke through the conspiracy of some top army officers
that wanted to topple him.. I escaped to Madrid, Spain because of the
fear that I might be arrested by my half brother Lt. General Joseph
Kabila the present head of state. Actually his mother and my mother are not in the best
of relationship because of who among them will be the first lady
tussle and this ultimately affected us their children.

My mother advised me to leave For Madrid, Spain where these funds were
deposited for safe keeping with a Private Security Company here in
Spain. On getting to Spain where I have been living since then as a political refugee I am seeking for a reliable foreigner who can
come down to Madrid, Spain for a meeting and to clear the funds in
his name as the sole beneficiary of the Consignment as I was afraid of
being defraud.

Honestly I contacted you because I don't want to invest this money in
Madrid Spain due to my status here as a political Refugee. And moreover
I wouldn't want to take risk because this money is all that my Mother
and I are depending on. My step brother Joseph, who is now the present
leader of my country has seized all my father's assets and money He left
us empty handed without knowing about this funds deposited with the
Security Company here. That is why I decided that investing this money
abroad should be the best investment for me. I will be honored if I can be
given the privilege of investing this money with you.

I expect you to be trustworthy and kind enough to respond to this
distress call to save My Mother and I from a hopeless future. And if you
agree, I hereby agree to compensate your sincere and candid effort in this
regard with 20% of the total amount of $25 million US Dollars. When
the money ($25 million) is moved into your discrete account. You will be
allowed to draw 20% in your favor, while the remaining 80% will be
invested meaningfully for our future if possible in your area of business
and different sectors of the Economy in your country which are dividends
yielding.

Whatever your decision is please reach me immediately through my phone,
and keep this letter tight secret for the interest of my Family.

Best regards,

Kishali Willaim Kabila



To which I replied:


Dear Kishali Wan Kinobi,

Thank you for your email - this sounds like an exciting opportunity and I would love to come to Madrid and help you out. My father has a house near Benidorm, perhaps we can meet there? (it has a pool)....

I'm sorry to hear about your family troubles - they seem like a right handful, I hope you can work things out. I've just been telling my girlfriend (Toni) about them and she said it sounds just like her Uncle Peter and his wife! (They always were a bit strange...)

Thanks for choosing me to help you, I'm really excited about this - no-ones ever trusted me this much before! You said I should reach you through your phone but you didn't give me your number. If you email me your phone number and address I will start arranging transport to come and see you.

Look forward to hearing from you soon, and I won't let anyone know about this - it sounds like your family has had enough trouble already

Ivor


Let's see if he replies......

Posted by integer at 2:29 Sat, Aug 2nd

Ai, you're a nasty fellow.

Posted by craeonics at 5:10 Sat, Aug 2nd

haha

Posted by PK at 6:27 Sat, Aug 2nd

Hey - this guys quick. Here's his reply, and mine..

Dear Ivor,
i got your email and thank you for the prompt response of my mail. i want to fully assure you of 100% reality,transparency and seriousness of the transaction.
I need to be fully assured that i can trust you and that you are capable of assisting me, We need to work like brothers with one mind as i need someone i can fully trust and who can maintain the highest level of confidentiality as well as dedication. I need you to tell me more about yourself as well as your experience,stability and investment knowlegde.
Let me introduce YOU briefly into the transaction the funds are presently in Spain and i have the contact of the clearing agent as directed.The consignment was deliberatly registered as personal consignment(FAMILY ARTIFET) and arrived under dipomatic immunity and as such will not be inspected by the costoms for security seasons.I have almost concluded with the arrangement so that we can proceed with banking and transfers to our choosen destination.

I NEED THE FOLLOWING FROM YOU:
1. To help me take delivery of the consignment personaly from any of these centers and proceed with the banking,transfer and investment.

2. To be very honest with me as well as show the highest amount of seriousness and maintaining confidentiality.
3.Furnish me with full details your full name, your private phone and fax number including your cell phone for easy reach and your occupation.

Due to limitation of time we need to conclude as soon as possible. I have the relevant deposit document as regards the transaction and can forward them to you by fax for
your personal view so as to attain a good business and friendly relationship as well as agreement with you.
Please get back to me immediately.Reply me from my alternative email address . .I await your urgent response and await your call.
Regards,
Prince Kishali William Kabila
Telephone.00 34 677 057 039

*************************************

to which I replied:



Dear Prince Kishali Wan Kinobi.

Wow, I feel like a secret agent. It's nice to know I'm doing some good in the world by helping out you and your unfortunate family

You can trust me, no-one is going to hear about this from me. You say you need to know more about me? OK, I am relatively inexperienced in international multi-million finance transfers such as this one, but hey - I gotta start somewhere right? My stability is very good - I was riding without stabilisers at a very early age, and have never been seasick once (though I did feel a bit queasy after bungee jumping of London Bridge).

I'm really looking forward to meeting you in Spain - do you know a place called Calpe? There's a huge rock on the seafront and we climbed it once on New Years Day (more proof of my good stability). Perhaps we could go there and feed the seagulls together.

Let me know where you are staying and when you want to meet so I can cash in my savings and buy a flight out to meet you.

I hope your mum and your step brother Joseph can work out their differences.

Look forward to hearing from you - Use the force

Kind regards,
Ivor Plann


*************************************

I'll keep you informed

Posted by integer at 6:43 Sat, Aug 2nd

Oh this should be rich. He's going to ask for money from you soon. 8) You know it.

Funny thing is I have JUST read this the other day from a friend. Ha!

Posted by Red at 8:37 Sat, Aug 2nd

Ah, it's a prince!

Posted by craeonics at 15:31 Sat, Aug 2nd

From now on I will stop trusting Integer... Making fun of that poor prince, disgusting!

:----D

Posted by PK at 17:14 Sat, Aug 2nd

hehe
and look he even dummies up a name out of star wars... you're bad PPPinteger

Posted by Doreen at 21:37 Sat, Aug 2nd

me bad?! I'm not the one trying to scam people....
Anyway - I haven't heard anything back yet

Posted by integer at 2:30 Sun, Aug 3rd

yeah well the "Wan Kinobi" probably gave it away... hehe

Send him an e-mail and tell him you are from the FBI and have gathered enough of his e-mails off of the internet from ppl along w/ his IP address and you now have placed an agent parked 4 cars down outside his door waiting for him to come out to make an arrest and prosecute to the fullest of the Law! also tell him no use running cuz you have also assigned 2 black helicopters around his vacinity... hehe

Posted by Doreen at 7:13 Sun, Aug 3rd

Well, so far nothing incriminating has happened.

Posted by crae_law at 11:30 Sun, Aug 3rd

OK - here's an idea. He's just replied, and I'm going to let you write a reply to him - heres the text of his mail, whoever writes the best reply will get it sent



Dear Ivor,
Thank you once again for your mail,i was expecting your call and you forgot to include your phone number.
Before you enbark on the trip to Spain to meet me,i would like to visit the clearing agent tomorrow because i have an appointment with them as regards the clearing of this consignment and will get back to you immediately i am through with them tomorrow.
Do not forget to include your phone number once again and i really appreciate your effort and kind concern towards my assistance.

I remain.
Kishali Kabila


OK - over to you

Posted by integer at 15:24 Sun, Aug 3rd

I would not waste the wear and tear on my nail polish to respond to that lil prince scambag...

/me dispises unwelcome scammers and smutbags in my mail box (always makes me work that much harder to find my welcomed mail) argh!

and I cannot even believe this wan kinobi is still going, go grab a big bat after you get his address!
and I'll follow behind you and jump up and down (behind you of course) while you beat his lil prince behind.

Posted by Doreen at 17:07 Sun, Aug 3rd

He's in a bit of a rush:

****************************************

Ivor,
I am beginning to get worried,i've not heard from you.Please get back to me so as to discuss the outcome of my appointment with the clearing agent if possible include your contact telephone number in your reply.
Reagrds,

Kishali Kabila W

****************************************


my reply:


****************************************

Dear Kashmere Kinobi,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I had a bit of an accident on a pogo-stick (damn drains).

I hope the meeting with the clearing agent went ok, perhaps I should get in touch with them because my garden needs doing too. Im looking forward to visiting you and doing this deal, but you haven't given me your address and phone number so I can contact you. I need to know which airpport to book my flight to, and when. (The pogo-stick accident left me a bit short so I might have to sell my dog to pay for the flight)

If your meeting went ok and we are ok to proceed, I was thinking about flying over this weekend - I hope you will meet me at the airport. You might have to wear a flower in your lapel or use some other secret sign so I can recognise you (I've seen them do that in James Bond).

Looking forward to meeting you and your family (I hope they are ok)

Always yours,
Ivor Plann

*****************************************

Posted by integer at 23:38 Mon, Aug 4th

hahaha, amazing integer

"clearing agent went ok, perhaps I should get in touch with them because my garden needs doing too." agent orange? he can totally clean out all live in your garden

Posted by PK at 5:47 Tue, Aug 5th

hehe... inty you foul foul person


I like that!

Posted by Snowman at 6:00 Tue, Aug 5th

oh look he's a pushy rushy scambag too!

Posted by Doreen at 7:29 Tue, Aug 5th

hehe Ivor... oh boy you teach that wan kinobi a lesson!

Posted by Doreen at 7:30 Tue, Aug 5th

Latest :

***********************

Ivor,
Sorry about your accident.My appointment with the clearing agent was ok,is just that they gave me a bill of fifteen thousand euros as the total cost of clearing the consignment.I had only ten thousand euros on me so i had to deposit that with them leaving a balance of five thousand euros .I don't have any other source of raising the balance and it will be very difficult for me to feed cos i gave them all i have because my life depends solely on this consignment.I really need your assistance with this balance and i promise i won't let you down after this transaction.
My mother extends her regards and appreciates your candid assistance to see us through this hard times.
I await your reply.
Regards,

Prince Kishali Kabila


************************

Hrm...seems my poor friend needs some money....

************************

Dear Prince Kashmere Wan Kinobi,

My injuries from the accident are getting better, but the medical bill has really wiped me out...

Thats bad news about the bill the clearing agent gave you - it was lucky you had the ten-thousand euro's on you as a deposit wasnt it! Thats quite an expensive bill - you must have a big garden - my mate Billy does it for fifty quid. Do you have a pool?

I've been thinking of ways to get the five thousand euro's you need as I want to help you and your dear family, because I hate to hear of you suffering like this. I feel as though we are really close even though we've never met - I share your struggle. I have a plan to do with my auntie Becky - she is getting on a bit and is living a really miserable life in an old peoples home. I happen to know that she is well insured and if she were to have a little "accident", I would benefit with quite a large inheritance. Do you see what I'm getting at? I wonder if you have any experience of this kind of thing because this would be the first time I've done anything like this (though I did shoot a pheasant once). I'd love to hear any advice you could give me on whacking my Auntie, then perhaps I could help you out with the clearing agent funds.

Looking forward to having a sangria with you in sunny Spain

Yours
Ivor Plann

Posted by integer at 15:00 Tue, Aug 5th

wow, this is getting seriously cool integer. Im very interested in their answer, looking forward to it (if it will come)..

Posted by PK at 15:14 Tue, Aug 5th

hehe! oh no (whack your Aunt?) hehe

Posted by Doreen at 16:14 Tue, Aug 5th

One next letter could also be...

Dear Prince Kashmere Wan Kinobi,

I am in deep sorrow. I have learned, upon casually looking for the cost of a trip to Spain, that I am short 12,000 frequent-flyer miles. I currently do not have the required about, nearly 24,000 dollars, as the money I will be forwarding to you is most of my small fortune from selling cordless light fixtures.

I am planning a small potluck, at the expense of my aunt. The dishes served will include eight varieties of African dung beetles, served with toppings of live scorpion, cobra, and maybe a few large camels just for kicks. The entrance fee will be $500, with a late-night show including famous American movie stars such as Ben Aflek, Morgan Freeman, and Rosie O'Donnel. They will be performing a re-creation of the broadway hit Cats.

I believe if at least 20 of the jeriatrics decide to get one last hardon before they become worm grub, I'll be in business.

Posted by Vivi at 17:19 Tue, Aug 5th

Just as it was getting fun, looks like I've been rumbled.....

*******************************

yeah, what's up kid you alright. You waste my time once more, then you gonna know how to whack ......... have a nice day and don't forget to .........F*** OFF STUPID

*******************************

You really don't wanna see my reply

Posted by integer at 23:34 Tue, Aug 5th

And just in case you want to thank him for the entertainment:

Posted by integer at 23:42 Tue, Aug 5th

/me is saving a link to this one

Gonne send them/him an email

Posted by PK at 0:34 Wed, Aug 6th

Dear Prince Kashmere Wan Kinobi,

I just want to thank you for your entertaining replies & the friendly behaviour you have shown towards our collective rectum (all bundled together in one email alias, but posted everywhere..) in your cool Nigeria scam thingy.

Thank you Prince Kashmere Wan Kinobi!

Greetings from Holland,
Pepijn Koster

Posted by PK at 0:43 Wed, Aug 6th

what!? now he's a nasty rude scambag? (oh surprise surprise) hehe

Posted by Doreen at 6:30 Wed, Aug 6th

Subject: Re: F*** OFF STUPID

Dear Mister Price Keesheewah Mo Shobeee,

I thought it was very nice of you to provide entertainment for all of us. Who would have thought that those Nigerian scam emails would be so funny? If you wouldn’t mind sending me your mailing address, I would gladly send you a euro or two so you can buy your grandmother a candy-bar. Just remember: nuts can give old people diarrhea, so I would stick with Milky Way or something. Or maybe Butterfinger, those are always good.

Anyways, thanks again and have a great day. Say hi to your grand-mum for me!

Later

King Pogrelz a ma Shizbar Aluida of The Round Table

Posted by pog|stupid at 8:57 Wed, Aug 6th

Oh, dang, it wasn't his grandmother...

Posted by pog at 10:08 Wed, Aug 6th

Im sure he does have a grandmother or two..

One of the emails i have send to him bounched btw. I didnt get a reply to the other one

Posted by PK at 14:19 Wed, Aug 6th

Same here - you can bet he get's through a load of email address's

Posted by integer at 14:36 Wed, Aug 6th

Hehehe... What fun some a bunch of people can have, eh?

Posted by Vivi at 18:30 Wed, Aug 6th

Damn, he's on to us!

Posted by craeonics at 1:26 Thu, Aug 7th

That was funny. >:}

Posted by Red at 8:05 Sat, Aug 9th

I Just Got One!!!!!

Here it is :

Dear,

SEEKING HONEST ASSOCIATE.

I am sending you this confidential email
to make a passionate appeal to you for assistance.

I got to know of you through my searching in
the internet for a credible investor that will be of
assistance to my family.

I am Dr. Mrs LUISA EJERCITOR ESTRADA , the wife of Mr Joseph Estrada the former President of Philippine located in the south east Asia. My husband was presently impeached from office by a backed uprising of mass demonstrators and the senate. During my husband's regime as president of Philippine, I realised US$21 millions of dollars from various contract projects executed successfully by my fronts. I had planed to use this money for investment outside the Philippines.

Now I have used an NGO to move the money outside the Philippines awaiting transfer, I want you to assist me transfer the money to your bank account or your Organisation Bank account as the Beneficiary/my Proxy because I do not want the Philippine Government to trace and confiscate this one. They have confiscated all our asset. This is the only money left for me and my family o.k.Now if you agree, I will offer you 20% of the total fund for your anticipated assistance.

you must keep all this plans very secret and confidential.There is no risk involved, all I want from you is your co-operation so that we can have a successful transaction as all modalities has been put in place I look forward to having a good relationship with you.

Please contact me via my secure email: for details and instructions.For security reasons you will only communicate me only by my email for now

Regards,
Dr Mrs Luisa Estrada,
Wife to former philippine president

Posted by Namheul at 22:31 Fri, Aug 15th

/me pulls up an armchair...

Posted by integer at 1:25 Sat, Aug 16th

I finally got one similiar to these the other day too (skimmed it) it was buried beneath 100 e-mails saying buy Viagra on line. *sigh*

Posted by Doreen at 7:03 Sat, Aug 16th

Doreen: hahahahah, viagra, i get them sometimes too.

Posted by ??? at 20:28 Sun, Aug 17th

sometimes I get around 50 a day! and them make it bigger ones too (me is female I don't need that junk that's all for you guys!) hehe

The advantages of being female
(poor men) hehe!

Posted by Doreen at 15:54 Thu, Sep 4th

Pude Contactarme con esta dirección y entiendo por todo lo que estas pasando, de corazón deseo ayudarte pues estoy muy bien enterado de la historia de tu familia, quisiera que cuentes conmigo.

Posted by Marco Julian Loayza at 19:25 Sat, Oct 4th

Beste Marco Julian Loayza,

Ik vind het erg sneu voor jouw, maar ik spreek niet zo heel erg goed Spaans. Ik begrijp dat je met mij in contact wil treden, maar dat is niet mogelijk zolang jij geen Nederlands of Frysk praat, sorry. Verder begrijp ik er trouwens geen bal van, dit antwoord slaat waarschijnlijk nergens op.

Vriendelijke groeten,
Pepijn Koster
Bolsward, Fryslân (The Netherlands), currently located in Sogndal, Norway.

Posted by PK at 1:55 Sun, Oct 5th

Precies. Maar dan zonder Fries, want dat versta ik weer niet.

Besides, Babelfish can't make much of it anyway:

"I could Be contacted with this direction and understand by everything what these happening, of heart desire ayudarte because I am found out the history of your family very well, wanted that you have me."

Lousy online translators.

Posted by craeonics at 5:43 Sun, Oct 5th

???
say what???

/me goes back to reading my own wonderful spam this a.m.

Posted by Doreen at 9:24 Sun, Oct 5th

Hrm, can you forward me this kind of messages when you receive 'em... I'm collecting it (not spam, but scam, like the first one posted by integer...)

Thanks in advance...

Posted by [extatic] at 3:28 Fri, Nov 28th

Let me know your email and I'll send one over

Posted by integer at 23:49 Wed, Dec 3rd

ext at extdesk dot tk

Posted by [extatic] at 4:15 Fri, Dec 5th

...line with AT and DOT, seperated with space, one word, space.... CLICK!

Posted by robot at 11:27 Fri, Dec 5th

Hi ,
I have been talking to Emmanuel Kabila for quite a time. I have 3 different telephone numbers which all work. He asked me today for 10000 Euros for the customs, to get the money through the customs. However I do not let him do that to me. I am going personally down and kick his ass. If anyone wants to join me, you are welcome. So far we are over 20 people.

Posted by Kick his ass at 13:41 Sun, Dec 14th

Tell ya what - film it with a camcorder and i'll watch it when you're done

Posted by integer at 13:42 Tue, Dec 16th 

Galactic Civilizations III