‘FIFA 2010 World Cup’ Still Continues to be Fraudsters’ Favorite

Security experts at security firm McAfee are suggesting netizens to be cautious of phishing e-mail scam targeting '2010 FIFA World Cup'. It is interesting to note that this time scammers are exploiting the diamond anniversary of the "South African Airways (SAA)" to stimulate their phishing scam.

The phishing e-mail's text sounds quite astounding. This phony e-mail sent to 'Star Alliance Member Airline' reads that SAA is the leading and most important African airline that has received a number of "Best African Airline" awards from top international organizations and leading magazines.

The e-mail also states that SAA incorporated in 1934, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. It was among the first national airlines in the world. Further, it was also mentioned in the text that SAA is offering a free opportunity and an all expenses paid tour to watch the FIFA 2010 World Cup for 200 people, as a part of their current promotion.

Winners are promised of automatic visa and a free trip to catch the live actions of the first two matches on June 11, 2010 at Soccer City (Johannesburg) and Green Point (Cape Town).

Further, to lure the e-mail recipient, the mail says that he/she is quite fortunate to be selected. The recipients are than asked to respond back with information like name, address, cell phone number, and e-mail address. The phishing e-mail finally ends with a 'Thanks' from 'Mr. Kelvin Brodus', alleged Coordinator of the event.

Analyzing the phishing e-mail, experts at McAfee said that the mail had numerous spelling and grammatical errors, which clearly indicates towards the phishing nature of an e-mail.

McAfee's Toralv Dirro informed that the initial part of the e-mail text has been stolen from a UK-based holiday website. He added that this scam is for sure not the most sophisticated to be seen, but it is the first, as per the news published by Web User on September 8, 2009.

Earlier in August 2009, both local and international users were warned by Namibia's First National Bank (FNB) that local and foreign cyber crooks were taking advantage of the '2010 FIFA World Cup' event in order to defraud customers of their money.

Related article: “Loopholes did not cause online banking thefts”: ICBC

» SPAMfighter News - 9/30/2009