Anyone following crime on the Internet knows that fake websites are (too) frequently used in phishing schemes. Normally, these fake sites impersonate legitimate financial sites and try to lure people into giving up personal and financial information - which is then used in identity theft (fraud) schemes.On occasion, malware could (also) be injected into a system just by visiting a site.
Now they are impersonating an internationally known and (respected) law enforcement organization.
The Register is reporting:
419 advanced fee scammers have created an exact copy of the Interpol website, which is expected to be used to dupe victims into believing they are dealing with the real International Criminal Police Organisation.
Please note that the website is still active and hosted in China.
Full story from the Register, link here.
Warning from the real Interpol site, link here.
Interpol isn't the only public agency impersonated in recent years, others include the IRS and the FBI.
I wanted to add a thought - which is - neither the Register, or Interpol give any specifics as to what the e-mails ask a person to do. There are references to Nigerian fraud, but the site is hosted in China? It will be interesting to see how this progesses.
If anyone has seen one of the actual spam e-mails, I would appreciate a comment on this post.
Nonetheless, a "scam is a scam," and this looks like a scam to me.
4 comments:
Thanks for all your tireless work Ted - I have not seen this one yet. I have one email address that all the spammers/phishers have in thier lists. I'll send it to you if I see it.
Fraud groups are using FBI and Interpol Coalition for money scam> Be aware: I have recieved this email from below email and will request if any one could be of help to arrest this group.
Best regards
Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:10:22 -0800
> From: xn---e--r--r--0--r@att.net
> Subject: FBI & Interpol Coalition on Fraud Investigations.
> To:
>
> FBI & Interpol Coalition on Fraud Investigations.
>
> Attention: Sir/ Madam,
>
> We recently arrested a group of West African / Ghana, Benin and Nigerian Internet scam Artists in London and we have reasons to believe you have been one of their numerous victims. A thorough search of the computers arrested with the individuals and their confessions during interrogation has revealed to us that you paid certain sums of money to these fraudsters via Western Union.
>
> These individuals have been wrongfully informing a lot of people via email on the internet that they have huge sums of money to be transferred from a foreign Bank Account. Also, they have confessed to loan scams and the UK National Lottery scam and have been demanding money from innocent people for purported
>
> claims of the said money. They operated with a fake Security firms and Bank and courier and a lot of people have fallen victims to them in the past 3 years.
>
> One of them was arrested one month ago when they attempted to defraud an American citizen of $5.2m USD by the FBI/ British Intelligence Unit and the Interpol working together to break the scam ring.
>
> Our Investigation revealed that you paid out some money to these individuals over a period of time. We are happy to inform you that you can now claim back your money as well as your compensation.
>
> We have already initiated proceedings on your behalf with the West African / Nigerian Government to ensure that as a genuine scam victim, you will not only recover your lost money but also you will be compensated for the financial and emotional stress you and your family went through because of the scam.
>
> Our Internal Audit Bureau has estimated that you are eligible to claim a total of $200,000.USD from the Fraud Compensation Committee set up by the West African / Nigerian Government to ensure that properly identified scam victims are paid and adequately compensated from the $3bn allocated compensation loan from the World Bank.
>
> This Fund is directly under the watchful eye of both the FBI/Interpol to avoid misappropriation or embezzlement of fund. Please respond back to us
> immediately to ensure that your details are confirmed as being eligible to receive your compensation within 72 hours of receiving this notice;
>
> All compensation requests are attended to strictly on a first-come first-serve basis. As soon as I hear from you, I will direct you properly on how to acquire
> the compensation fund without further ill-treatment.
>
> To acquire your compensation, Contact our Public Relations Officer Below.
>
> Name: Mr. George E. Bawn
> Email: george.bawn@gmail.com & george.bawn@yahoo.com
> Position Public Relations Officer
> Phone: +447031923775.
> FBI&Interpol Coalition on Fraud Investigations
> London,United Kingdom
>
INTERNATIONAL POLICE
(INTERPOL)
FROM INTERNATIONAL POLICE UNIT, REGARDING RECOVERY OF YOUR LOST MONEY.
Attention X,
My name is Interpol John Smith, we are fraud investigating international police attached with United Nations international police unit Nigeria We cover West African country with our men. We discovered that you are among the list of foreigners that fell victims of fraudulent activities of some scam men here. From our investigation, we discovered that you have lost some money to fulfill your endless financial obligation with these criminals I discovered that MANY who claim to be YOUR PARTNER AND FRIEND IN BUSINESS INCLUDING YOUR PRESENT BUSINESS PARTNER used your money to buy properties here ,however, they are now on the run but they would be writing you from hiding due to mobile internet services. We also found out that you sent money to THEM WITH HOPE OF MAKING A BIG MONEY Please we want to know how much you send to THEM, to enable us include it in the money we are proposing to return to you immediately. They are the people that told you series of sweet good stories ,and you believe them not knowing they are scam artist.We need your absolute cooperation to enable us recover all your fund and send it back to you so that you reposition your damaged financial life.
Note,that those who claim to be your partner are corrupt citizens and have already distributed your Funds among themselves and the names of this hoodlums are,we have already arrested Mr.Shamsudeen Usman, while Dr.Charles Soludo is on the run so you have to be very careful in all your dealing with anyone henceforth,infarct you are been advise to forward all further correspondence to my private email for further investigation.Those properties that was acquired with your Money has been seized by my men and was auctioned for $500.000 thousand Dollars and this proceed will be directly paid to you either as cash consignment delivery or Atm master to avoid risk of Money laundry act or terrorism.
1,your full names and address
2,your age and sex
3,Occupation and status
4,Private mobile numbers for easy communication
5,A copy of your drivers license for proper identification.
Note,that you have two options of payment : 1,cash consignment delivery of the recovered fund $500.000 thousand to your address :2,Swift Atm master card account containing the total payment of $500.000 thousand.Do indicate your preferred option to enable us carry on with the payment arrangement.
If need be for further inquiry concerning this recovery of your lost fund,do call me urgent via private mobile
PLEASE DO NOT DISCLOSE THIS EMAIL TO THEM TO ENABLE US ARREST THEM,DO NOT INFORM THEM, JUST MAINTAIN REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE WITH US AND ALWAYS UPDATE ME ANYTIME THEY WRITE YOU.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Interpol John Smith
Chief inspector of crime and fraud Interpol.
Interpol is the world's largest international police organization, with 186 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.
Interpol aims to facilitate international police co-operation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Interpol's constitution prohibits 'any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.' Interpol's Leadership The President of Interpol and the Secretary General work closely together in providing strong leadership and direction to the Organization.
INTERNATIONAL POLICE
(INTERPOL)
FROM INTERNATIONAL POLICE UNIT, REGARDING RECOVERY OF YOUR LOST MONEY.
Attention X,
My name is Interpol John Smith, we are fraud investigating international police attached with United Nations international police unit Nigeria We cover West African country with our men. We discovered that you are among the list of foreigners that fell victims of fraudulent activities of some scam men here. From our investigation, we discovered that you have lost some money to fulfill your endless financial obligation with these criminals I discovered that MANY who claim to be YOUR PARTNER AND FRIEND IN BUSINESS INCLUDING YOUR PRESENT BUSINESS PARTNER used your money to buy properties here ,however, they are now on the run but they would be writing you from hiding due to mobile internet services. We also found out that you sent money to THEM WITH HOPE OF MAKING A BIG MONEY Please we want to know how much you send to THEM, to enable us include it in the money we are proposing to return to you immediately. They are the people that told you series of sweet good stories ,and you believe them not knowing they are scam artist.We need your absolute cooperation to enable us recover all your fund and send it back to you so that you reposition your damaged financial life.
Note,that those who claim to be your partner are corrupt citizens and have already distributed your Funds among themselves and the names of this hoodlums are,we have already arrested Mr.Shamsudeen Usman, while Dr.Charles Soludo is on the run so you have to be very careful in all your dealing with anyone henceforth,infarct you are been advise to forward all further correspondence to my private email for further investigation.Those properties that was acquired with your Money has been seized by my men and was auctioned for $500.000 thousand Dollars and this proceed will be directly paid to you either as cash consignment delivery or Atm master to avoid risk of Money laundry act or terrorism.
1,your full names and address
2,your age and sex
3,Occupation and status
4,Private mobile numbers for easy communication
5,A copy of your drivers license for proper identification.
Note,that you have two options of payment : 1,cash consignment delivery of the recovered fund $500.000 thousand to your address :2,Swift Atm master card account containing the total payment of $500.000 thousand.Do indicate your preferred option to enable us carry on with the payment arrangement.
If need be for further inquiry concerning this recovery of your lost fund,do call me urgent via private mobile
PLEASE DO NOT DISCLOSE THIS EMAIL TO THEM TO ENABLE US ARREST THEM,DO NOT INFORM THEM, JUST MAINTAIN REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE WITH US AND ALWAYS UPDATE ME ANYTIME THEY WRITE YOU.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Interpol John Smith
Chief inspector of crime and fraud Interpol.
Interpol is the world's largest international police organization, with 186 member countries. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime.
Interpol aims to facilitate international police co-operation even where diplomatic relations do not exist between particular countries. Action is taken within the limits of existing laws in different countries and in the spirit of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Interpol's constitution prohibits 'any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character.' Interpol's Leadership The President of Interpol and the Secretary General work closely together in providing strong leadership and direction to the Organization.
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