Internet/E-mails Scams…Getting More Sophisticated?

We all get them, don’t we…those out of the blue e-mails enticing us to join the ranks of PT Barnum’s “suckers born every minute?”

But lately, I’ve noted a bit more sophistication from those “Nigerian scam” e-mails of some years gone by. For one thing, the English is much better, and often a legitimate e-mail address is used. And, the stories why these funds are available have transcended that of some long forgotten rich uncle.

The central core of these scams remains unchanged in that for some obscure and never fully explained reason, it is necessary for you…the lucky chosen one who is destined to receive millions of dollars, to send along one sort or another processing fee. Having myself followed up on some of these in the past for fun, those fees generally run between $500 and $1,000…and for sure, no, you cannot deduct those fees from the many millions that will come after you pay that fee.

The scariest aspect of these offshoots or hybrid “Nigerian scams” is that they persist. That implies some degree of success with this nefarious activity.

In just the last two days I’ve gotten two of these, and both are unique, thus I will cut and past them below. How about you? Have you run into any which appear more sophisticated than others…more “credible” or more likely to snag the intended “sucker?”

This first one is from: MAJOR. ERIC H MILLER [ Protected content ]

Hello

I am. Eric miller and I am a British soldier attached to UN peace keeping force in Syria. I am the commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment.As you may know, everyday there are several cases of insurgent attacks and suicide bombs going on here. We have managed to move funds belonging to some demised persons who were attacked and killed through these attacks.The total amount is US$15 Million dollars in cash. We want to move this money to you, so that you can help keep our share for us until when we shall come over to meet you. My partner and I will take 70%, . while you take 30%. No strings attached! Just help us move it out of Syria.

which is a war zone right now. We plan on using Diplomatic courier and shipping the money out in two large metallic Boxes, using diplomatic immunity.If you are interested, I will send you the full details. My job is to find a good partner that we can trust and is ready to assist us. Can we trust you? When you receive this letter, kindly send me an e-mail signifying your interest including your most confidential telephone/fax numbers and other contact details for quick communication. This business is risk free. The boxes can be shipped out in 48hrs.Please If you are Interested in assisting, kindly reply through this PRIVATE and CONFIDENTIAL Email for further

documentations and briefing, Protected content

PLEASE, TREAT THIS PROPOSAL AS TOP SECRET.

Respectfully,
MAJOR. ERIC H MILLER

This second one is from a member of the UN Security Council! Yeah, how about that? And note the AOL e-mail address this fraudster is using:

Hello,

I am Diplomat Paul C. Pollard from the United Nations Security Council, UK Association and my diplomatic mission is based on Inter-Country shipments of classified items between North, South and Central American with other European and the Middle East Nations.

At this moment, I am in Califonia Los Angeles, the United States of America for a Diplomatic Delivery of a classified material as requested by the Security Council Members. However, I must confess that during my arrival at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a routine check of all abandoned UN items was carried out with the head supervisor baggage service unit at the airport Storage Vault due to my role in diplomatic delivery missions and we discovered an abandoned shipment from Europe through transit at the London Heathrow Airport (LHR) which from the Customs X-ray Ultra Scan results reveals that an undisclosed sum of money in two metal trunk boxes weighing approximately Protected content with Assumptions of 5.5 Million To 6 Million .

When i check all i can get is your email on the trunk box at this point I will not be able to receive your details on my official email account. So in order words to enable me cross check your details, I will advise you send the required details to my "SECURED" email address which is ( Protected content ) for quick processing and response With your Full Name, Address, Cell And Home Number and closet International Airport.


I wait your urgent mail if you are still alive.

Regard.
Mr. Paul C. Pollard
Diplomatic, UN Security Council
Private Email: ( Protected content )