London Internet Scams Falling Down

Just got this stupid e-mail from an Internet spammer who apparently didn’t read my August newsletter warning about the scam (or has a sick sense of humor and sent the e-mail because of the article).

From: Mary Stone [mailto:gabsgrami@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 6:50 AM
To: gabsgrami@yahoo.com
Subject: Sad News!!!

Hello
I am in a hurry writing this mail to you, I had travelled to the UK to visit a new researchers complex in Wolverhampton (Imperial College, Gallery Section, UK) and unfortunately for me the hotel i lodged got razed by fire. I am so confused right now, I don’t know what to do or where to go. I didnt bring my phones here and the hotel telephone lines were disconnected during the incident. So I have access to only emails.

Please can you lend me £960 today so I can return home. As soon as I get home I would refund it immediately.all you have to do is to transfer through Western Union Money Transfer to my name.below is the details you require.

NAME-MARY STONE
ADDRESS-FOX HOTELS(118 SCHOOL STREET)HARBOUR VIEW RD.
CITY-WOLVERHAMPTON
COUNTRY-UK
ZIPCODE-WV30NR

Once again i want to assure you that your money will be refunded as soon as i get back home.immediately you have the money transfered,please help me scan or write out the MTCN Number given to you at the western union outlet.i will be waiting anxiously for your positive response.
Please I need you to get back to me as soon as possible.

I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks and Regards,

M.E. Stone

Note that this scam is now being used on Twitter and Facebook. Accounts on social networking sites are being hacked and same type of requests are being made to online friends. If you get a request for money, double or triple check ID before sending anything. Chances are you’ll discover your friend is nowhere near the location where the ‘tragedy’ occurred and that it is just a con artist trying to steal from you.

Speaking of con artists, just waiting for the day when this crime gets tweaked with a hidden continuity program. And if one pays the initial amount will there will be an additional upsell soliciting more funds.

Canadian Spam Bill: Electronic Commerce Protection Act Introduced

If it becomes law, the proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Act (ECPA) will provide our neighbors to the north with overdue protection against unsolicited commercial email (spam).  The ECPA will include hefty fines – up to $1 million for individuals and up to $10 million for other types of offenders. The Act would create a Spam Reporting Centre (reporting similar to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) and Industry Canada would be the national coordinating body responsible for educating businesses and consumers about their rights and responsibilities under the Act.

Should the ECPA become law, email marketers will need to comply with it when dealing with Canadians. This is in addition to the U.S. CAN-SPAM Act and other countries’ anti-spam laws. A good rule of thumb is – when in doubt, do not send an unsolicited commercial e-mail to anyone. That includes sending an unsolicited e-mail asking someone to opt into your mailing list.

Graphic credit: Drapeau Animation Canada

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