The Nigerian Prisoner

PCMag

Ferris Research, which does analysis of the technology and business of e-mail, is reporting a new Nigerian scam based on the old "Spanish Prisoner" con. Read this and be on the lookout for signs of it.

Here's the basic scenario:

[*] The scammer forges a message to a Hotmail user supposedly from Hotmail (it could be any such system, but they're using Hotmail). The message says that their account is about to expire and to click the included link to prevent it from going off-line. Of course the link goes to a rogue site that steals your password.
[*] They change the password on the account so you can't get in.
[*] They send out a message to everyone in the address book with a plea for help: you're stuck in Nigeria without a passport or money. Please wire money!


Watch out for messages from either end of this scam.

Additional story:

Rediff India Abroad

- Beware of the phishing scam... when in doubt log to the website directly and NOT via a link in the Email.
- If you get this kind of Email, try and contact your friend/family member first.

Guardian journalist fell one of these, link to story below.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree ... d.internet