Jeanette’s Hotmail Sends Scam E-Mail

Jeanette Warke who discovered the Londonderry-situated Shared City Project, on August 23, 2010, was shocked when she discovered that hackers used her e-mail account to send one fictitious message. The message stated that whilst on an assignment in Malaysia, her wallet went missing; therefore she immediately required some cash so she could clear her pending hotel expenses. Derry Journal reported this on August 24, 2010.

Specifically, the e-mail, beginning with apologies for not informing the recipient of her tour to Malaysia regarding certain Program, read that Jeanette was in Malaysia where she was experiencing problems as she lost her wallet while going to the hotel she lodged in. She also couldn't use the Internet for long because of limited access. Consequently, she wanted help from the e-mail recipient with a $2,500 loan towards paying her hotel bills as well as returning home.

Continuing further, the e-mail stated that although Jeanette contacted the embassy for assistance, they didn't do much to help her out. She'd thus appreciate if the recipient assisted her with whatever he could afford in order that she could return home. Of course, she'd reimburse the loan once she was back. Finally, when she'd know if the recipient would be able to help, she'd send the details regarding how the money was to be transferred. The e-mail then signed off in Jeanette's name with the request for 'immediate' reply.

As this message went out from Ms. Warke's Hotmail account to many people, anxious e-mails started arriving in Jeanette's inbox asking about her welfare, Ms. Warke stated. Many prominent business persons along with community workers belonging to the Republic at first thought that the appeal was real, she added. Istockanalyst published this on August 24, 2010.

Says Jeanette that she just doesn't know who circulated the e-mail. So she's warning everyone receiving the message to be extremely vigilant.

At Foyle, a spokeswoman for the police too cautioned people not to trust such e-mails and to verify if they were authentic before responding. Moreover, people mustn't ever divulge any financial or other private information to anybody asking for them over e-mail, she added.

Related article: Joint Working by IT Security Groups could Beat Cyber Threats

» SPAMfighter News - 8/30/2010