Phishing – Or How Cybercriminals Get Your Money or Worse

October 25, 2024

Scuba Diver looking for Treasury

One wonders how the criminals get into your firm’s system. Most are invited (inadvertently) by staff. A common way is Phishing which is slightly different than Spearing. Phishing as the name implies involves sending out millions of e-mails and seeing who bits. The cybercriminal has no idea who receives the emails, nor do they care. Spearing is more targeted than Phishing. Spearing is when the cybercriminal gleans information from a source such as a hacked contact list of someone you know, or a social media site such as Facebook where they have personal information about you to make you feel the e-mail is legit.

Just enough people are hooked by Phishing/Spearing e-mails to make it worthwhile. Phishing e-mails try to look legit from their story or supposed source and/or appeal to people’s greed. No random stranger provides something for nothing. They let you in on “our secret” that maybe a little bit illegal. Once you respond they have you hooked.  The cybercriminal hopes to get you to send money, download a virus or malware, or give up other personal information. Personal information may include logins, passwords, social security numbers, bank account information etc.

Best defense is to have your employees trained to recognize phishing/spearing attempts and delete. And never ever click on any attachments or links!

 

The following are examples of Phishing e-mails. As silly as these examples are, they do work. (Please note spelling and grammar errors were deliberately left in.)

1st Phishing e-mail example is from the FBI

Best story of the day.  They even got me a discount for getting my ATM card.  Why do I have to send them money to get my money, can’t they just deduct it from my award?

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Counter-terrorism Division and Cyber Crime Division J. Edgar. Hoover Building Washington DC

 

Dear Beneficiary,

 

Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of Eight Million and Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars ($8,500,000.00) due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.

 

ATM Card: We will be issuing you a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $3,000 per day from any ATM machine that has the Master Card Logo on it and the card have to be renewed in 4 years time which is 2028. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it. Even if you do not have a bank account.

 

Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $440.00 nothing more! Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 48hrs after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.

 

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $650 but because DHL have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shipping We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $650 to $440 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort!

 

To effect the release of your fund valued at 8,500,000.00 you are advised to contact our correspondent in WASHINGTON, D.C the delivery officer Wayne Collins with the information below,

Name:  Wayne Collins

Email: collinswayne82@gmail.com

TELEPHONE: (202) 827-6984

You are advised to contact hin with the information’s as stated below:

Your full Name..

Your Address:…………..

Home/Cell Phone:…………..

Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check) Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 48 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 48hours after you have made the payment for shipping.

Yours sincerely,

NICHOLAS STORY

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

 

Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your ATM CARD, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with Agent Harvey Orchid of the ATM CARD CENTRE who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your ATM CARD PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.

 

2nd Phishing e-mail example is from the US Treasury Department

Not sure if I was scammed yet, but once I send them the $200 certainly will be.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

1500 Pennsylvania Avenue,NW

Washington,DC 20220

 

This is to bring to your notice that the US Department of the Treasury in affiliation with the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) has been authorized in their Sanction Programs to compensate 1,000 scam victims who has being a victim of internet scam.The US Department of the Treasury has decided to pay you $250,000.00 USD(Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars) each in order to restore the global economy to the enviable standard of respectability.

 

Your particulars was mentioned by one of the syndicates who was arrested as one of the victims of their operations.You are hereby warned not to communicate or duplicate this message to him or her for any reason whatsoever as the US SECRET SERVICE is already on trace of the other criminals,these information should remain confidential till they are all apprehended, other victims who have not been contacted can submit their application as well for scrutiny and possible consideration.

 

Your fund to be released via MasterCard ATM in act to uphold the rule of law which we represent. once your fund is release with all the listed document from your processing officer, all you need do is get your INSURANCE BOND CERTIFICATE it will be needed in your name to complete your papers and secure your shipment safely in next 24hrs. the courier will send your tracking number immediately you get this said Approval. sincerely this will cost you $200usd only as we have spooked personally with the director in charge in your behalf.

 

You will be contacting Richard Berner directly by replying to this email for the release of your $250,000.00 USD compensation fund, he’s the director of the Office of Financial Research (OFR).You are also advised to provide him with the under listed Assignment information for verification:

 

Office Of Financial Research (OFR)

Email: financialresearchoffice@gmail.com

 

1)Full Names.

2) Home Address.

3) Nationality:

4) Age.

5) Sex.

6)  Occupation.

7)  Phone Number.

8) Identity Card.

9)Preferred Payment Method (ATM)

 

Best Regards.

Jacob J. Lew

 

Secretary of the Treasury.

Thank You

 

3rd Phishing e-mail example is from the United Nations

Always wonder if they have selected me, why do they need may name and address again?

FROM THE DESK OF:REV STEVE GRANT

PAY MASTER GENERAL UNITED NATION

COMPENSATION COMMISSION

 

 

Attention: Beneficiary,

 

I AM REV STEVE GRANT THE WORLD BANK REPRESENTATIVE ASSIGN BY THE UNITED NATION COMPENSATION COMMISSION UNDER THE DIRECTORSHIP OF MR BAN KI MOON TO RELEASE  YOUR AWARD WINNING INHERITANCE ENTITLEMENT PRICE IN VIEW TO THIS APPROVAL. WE ARE WRITING TO KNOW IF YOU ARE IN ANY AWAY PERMITTED OR OTHERWISE ON A WRITTEN NOTE TO ALLOW MR KELLY GEORGE MELVIN TO CLAIM YOUR AWARD WINING PRICE,

 

WE HAVE AUTHORIZED AND MANDATED ACCESS BANK PLC TO HANDLE THIS PAYMENT AS INSTRUCTED BY THE UNITED NATION SECRETARY GENERAL MR  BAN KI MOON. WE-HAVE THREE BANKING DAYS STARTING FROM TO DAY TO REMIT THIS PAYMENT TO YOUR ACCOUNT,

 

MY QUESTION IS SHALL WE PROCEED WITH IMMEDIATE ACTION IN REMITTING THIS SAID FUND TO MR KELLY GEORGE MELVIN BANK ACCOUNT AS HE HAS MADE US TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE NO MORE ALIVE AND HE IS YOUR NEXT OF KIN TO CLAIM THIS FUND, IF WE DID NOT HEAR FROM YOU, WE SHALL HAVE NO OTHER OPTION THAN TO PAY HIM THIS APPROVED FUND, THIS DECISION IS BINDING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 357 ACT OF THE LAWS ESTABLISHING IN THIS SUPREME OFFICE

 

YOURS SINCERELY ,

REV STEVE GRANT

UNITED NATION UNDER THE SECRETARY FOR HUMANITARIAN AFFAIRS

 

4th Phishing e-mail example is from “Dearest in Christ:”

Sister Rachel wants you to commit money laundering.

Dearest in Christ.

 

Greetings in the name of our Family; this is the second time l am contacting you with regards to this charity work. I am Mrs. Rachel Johnson, an ageing widow suffering from longtime illness. I am currently admitted in a private hospital here in Abidjan the capital city of Cote d’Ivoire.

 

I have some funds I inherited from my late loving husband Late Mr. Douglas G. Johnson, the sum of US$12.500, 000.00 which he deposited in a Bank here and I need a very honest and God fearing Christian that can use this funds for God’s work and 15% out of the total funds will be for your compensation for doing this work of God. I found your address and i decided to contact you. Please if you would be able to use these funds for the Lord’s work kindly reply me.

 

Yours Sister.

 

Mrs. Rachel Johnson.

 

5th Phishing example e-mail just wants to send you money

Little disappointed as there was no story to hook you in.

 

Your International ATM MasterCard worth $1.5 Million United States Dollars with daily withdrawal limit of $5,000 USD is ready for delivery. Please, contact MISS JUDITH BOLUTIN JAMES ( james.blunt9876@gmail.com or CALL/SMS +2348121238822 ) immediately with your full names and delivery details.

 

6th Phishing example e-mail wants you to commit fraud

 

For those of you that want to be a co-conspirator, this is the e-mail that you respond to.  Tough to complain when you are also committing a crime.

 

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA

OFFICE OF THE PAYMENT VERIFICATION PANEL LAGOS LIAISON OFFICE EMAIL..tonyebere220@gmail.com

Date: 10/03/2024

 

ATTENTION DEAR BENEFICIARY,

 

YOUR OUTSTANDING PAYMENT.

 

We hereby bring to your notice that your outstanding payment with the Federal Government of Nigeria has reached this office for verification and clarifications before the release. Anyway, without wasting much time, I have personally investigated this payment down to the Ministry were this contract was executed and from my findings it is clear that you did not execute this contract in question, from all available information, it looks like some officials in the Ministry were trying to use you to claim this particular value which they over invoiced for their own selfish interest. I know it might interest you to know how I managed to find out this truth, yes. I investigated this payment up to the ministry were this contract was executed and after some checks I was surprise to see that the most vital/important documents regarding to this contract bears a different name and beneficiary.

 

Based on this I decide to contact the supervisor that signed the attestation report, on getting to the contract award and supervisory commission I collected the contract attestation report and found out that this document steel bears the name: B& B PETROLEUM ENG.PTY as the company that executed this contract. I keep this to my self and came down to my base. As a matter of fact I have been thinking whether to report my findings to the appropriate body for cancellation of this payment, but I have this second thought of contacting you since I am not a saint and in a position to approve this payment for the president to give go ahead order to the release, I feel this might be a Gods given opportunity.

 

So it is based on this I am writing you, if you will accept with my understated conditions I can normalize all the relevant papers of this payment and the funds will be release within 14 working days. Contract attestation report is not in your name, the fund owner ship certificate is also not in your name. Actually your partners as I should say did a very great work in manipulating almost all the documents to your favor.

 

Now, I want you to know that, with my position, I can amend this problems and this money will be paid to your nominated bank account which both of us will share on a 50/50 %if only you will accept with my conditions.

 

So, if you see it wise to get this perfected with me feel free to contact me.

I shall let you know my conditions as soon as I here from you.

 

Thanks,

Tony Ebere.

 

7th Phishing example e-mail – Why your fund Transfer was Stopped

Guess banks in Africa do not have their own domain names for e-mail.  Yahoo, really

 

REVEREND MICHEAL GODSWILL OF

FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC

35 Marina P. O. Box 5216,

LAGOS- NIGERIA

EMAIL: firstbankofnigerieeplc270@yahoo.pt

 

DEAR BENEFICIARY

 

This letter is written to you in order to change your life from today.

 

I am Reverend Micheal Godswill the Director, International Remittance Department of this Bank, my Boss, Mr. Jacobs M. Ajekigbe, the Managing Director/CEO of this bank is now on compulsory leave and all power have been vested on me to make all international payments. Also, due to reported cases of corrupt practices in other Nigeria Banks including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Government has revoked/cancelled all power vested on those banks and has appointed our bank (First Bank of Nigeria) to make all foreign payments. Be informed that the Federal Government have approved the release of part-payment of$7.5M(Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars) out of your total funds, which has been in this bank for many years unclaimed because my boss Mr. Jacobs Ajekigbe, elaboration with the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have refused to tell you the truth on how to claim your fund this is because he has been using the interest accumulated from your fund every year to enrich himself without your knowledge, I want to help you pull out this fund to your bank account using the easiest and the quickest method, which have not been made known to you before. By this method, you will open a domiciliary account with this bank (First Bank of Nigeria), your fund would be lodged into this domiciliary account and your fund will be paid in directly to any bank of your choice.

 

After the transfer, you will confirm the fund in your bank account within 5hours the same day. No Cost of Transfer (COT) and no stoppage from any Government departments as the transfer will be done within the bank alone and it is very safe. The method which was introduced to you before is the Telegraphic Transfer (TT) for which confirmation was 48hrs, because of the time factor, petitions could come from various organizations stopping your payment and asking you to pay huge fee which would be difficult for you to pay so that they can benefit from the huge interest your fund generates while still in the Bank.

 

This method is not safe for you because it is not done within the bank alone as information of the payment would be sent to the Central Control Unit (CCU) of the Federal Ministry of Finance and office of the Accountant General of the Federation. As a good Christian, I have nothing to gain by keeping your fund, I want to assist you receive your fund before my boss resumes office. You have to follow up and work with me now, so keep this very confidential because of fraudsters and impostors who go about presenting various bank accounts in order to divert another beneficiary’s fund. Your present/valid account co-ordinates and amount to be claimed so that I do not transfer your fund to the wrong Bank Account.

 

Await your quick Reply to via private id (firstbankofnigerieeplc270@yahoo.pt

yours truly,

Reverend Micheal Godswill

 

8th Phishing e-mail example – RE: FINAL PAYMENT NOTIFICATION

Guess the FBI is not in the business of handing out money on ATM cards

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Anti-Terrorist And Monitory Crime Division.
Federal Bureau Of Investigation.
J.Edgar.Hoover Building Washington Dc
Customers Service Hours / Monday To Saturday
Office Hours Monday to Saturday:

Dear Beneficiary,

Series of meetings have been held over the past 7 months with the secretary general of the United Nations Organization. This ended 3 days ago. It is obvious that you have not received your fund which is to the tune of $4,700,000.00 due to past corrupt Governmental Officials who almost held the fund to themselves for their selfish reason and some individuals who have taken advantage of your fund all in an attempt to swindle your fund which has led to so many losses from your end and unnecessary delay in the receipt of your fund.

The National Central Bureau of Interpol enhanced by the United Nations and Federal Bureau of Investigation have successfully passed a mandate to the current president of Nigeria his Excellency President Mohammadu Buhari to boost the exercise of clearing all foreign debts owed to you and other individuals and organizations who have been found not to have receive their Contract Sum, Lottery/Gambling, Inheritance and the likes. Now how would you like to receive your payment? Because we have two method of payment which is by Check or by ATM card?

ATM Card: We will be issuing you a custom pin based ATM card which you will use to withdraw up to $5,000 per day from any ATM machine and the card have to be renewed in 4 years time which is 2020. Also with the ATM card you will be able to transfer your funds to your local bank account. The ATM card comes with a handbook or manual to enlighten you about how to use it. Even if you do not have a bank account.

Check: To be deposited in your bank for it to be cleared within three working days. Your payment would be sent to you via any of your preferred option and would be mailed to you via TNT parcel Service. Because we have signed a contract with TNT which should expire by March 17th, 2024 you will only need to pay $190 instead of $440 saving you $250 So if you pay before March 17th, 2024, you save $250 Take note that anyone asking you for some kind of money above the usual fee is definitely a fraudsters and you will have to stop communication with every other person if you have been in contact with any. Also remember that all you will ever have to spend is $190.00 nothing more!

Nothing less! And we guarantee the receipt of your fund to be successfully delivered to you within the next 24hrs after the receipt of payment has been confirmed.

Note: Everything has been taken care of by the Federal Government of Nigeria, The United Nation and also the FBI and including taxes, custom paper and clearance duty so all you will ever need to pay is $190.

DO NOT SEND MONEY TO ANYONE UNTIL YOU READ THIS: The actual fees for shipping your ATM card is $440 but because TNT parcel Service have temporarily discontinued the C.O.D which gives you the chance to pay when package is delivered for international shippment We had to sign contract with them for bulk shipping which makes the fees reduce from the actual fee of $440 to $190 nothing more and no hidden fees of any sort!

To effect the release of your fund valued at $4,700,000.00 you are advised to contact our correspondent in Africa the delivery officer AGENT Wassalam Abdullahi with the information below,
Email:wassalamabdullahi@qq.com
Tel.Number: +234708-4650-768

You are advised to contact him with the information as stated below:
Your full Name…………
Your Address:…………..
Home/Cell Phone:…………..
Preferred Payment Method (ATM / Cashier Check)

Upon receipt of payment the delivery officer will ensure that your package is sent within 48 working hours. Because we are so sure of everything we are giving you a 100% money back guarantee if you do not receive payment/package within the next 48hrs after you have made the payment for shipping.

Yours Sincerely,
Mr. JAMES POWELL
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535

Note: Do disregard any email you get from any impostors or offices claiming to be in possession of your Fund, you are hereby advice only to be in contact with AGENT Wassalam Abdullahi of the Fund Payment Centre who is the rightful person to deal with in regards to your PAYMENT and forward any emails you get from impostors to this office so we could act upon and commence investigation.

9th Phishing e-mail example – CONTACT MR CAMPOS NOW

Best story line today. An actual testimonial about how the FBI is handing out money. Again if they know who you are why are they asking you for your name and address.

 

Kind Attention:

 

My name is Rev. John Anderson; I am a US citizen, 51 Years Old. My residential address is as follows. 5424 Pent ridge Street Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19143-4126, United States of America, I am one of those people that took part in receiving Inheritance funds and Lottery funds from African banks and European banks even from many lottery organizers few years ago and they refused to pay me, I had paid different fees or charges of over $85,000 while in the USA trying to get my funds from those banks and lottery organizers but all to no avail. So i decided to travel to WASHINGTON D.C USA with all my payment approval documents, and I was directed by the F.B.I. Director to contact a man called Mr. Peter Campos, A BRITISH CITIZEN and a member of the UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION (UNO) & INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS (IMF) COMPENSATION AWARD COMMITTEE currently staying in Lagos Nigeria. I contacted him in Lagos Nigeria and he explained everything to me.

 

Mr. Peter Campos personally directed me on how to successfully claim my Inheritance and Lottery payment from the paying bank and right now I am the happiest man on earth because I have now finally received my funds totaling US$ 6 Million (Six Million U.S Dollars).  Moreover Mr.

Peter Campos, showed me the full information of those people that are yet to receive their payments and I saw your names/your email address as one of the beneficiaries and that is why I decided to email you to stop dealing with those people because they are not with your funds but they are only making money out of you.

 

I will personally advise you to contact Mr. Peter Campos in Lagos Nigeria immediately after reading this message. You have to contact him directly on this information below:

 

Contact Person: Mr. Peter Campos

Contact Address: No. 285 Griffiths Drive Wolverhampton Lagos Nigeria eMail ID: mrpeter84campos@gmail.com Telephone Number: +234-8037600764

 

Contact him now and send him

 

(1). Your full names,

(2). Your full contact Address,

(3). Your mobile phone numbers

(4). Your Age and Occupation Etc…

 

You really have to stop dealing with those people that are contacting you now telling you that your funds is with them because your funds is not in anyway with them, they are only taking advantage of you and they will dry you up until you have nothing left with you. Once again stop contacting those people, I will advise you to contact only Mr. Peter Campos in United – Kingdom so that he can help you process your payment through the paying bank instead of dealing with those liars that will be turning you around asking for different kind of money for fees to complete your transaction.

 

Thank You and Be Blessed.

Rev. John Anderson

5424 Pent ridge Street Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania, 19143-4126, U.S.A

Lee E Norcross

Contact Me Today
Lee Norcross, MBA, CPCU
California License # 0D87292
    L Squared Insurance Agency, LLC ® DBA in California as L2 L Squared Insurance Agency, License # 0L93416
Managing Director, CEO
Lee@L2Ins.com
616-726-7080

 

 

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