A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts

Subject: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Vic Smith
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:34 AM

I have just received the following email preporting to come from Karen Tweed:-

Subject - My Terrible Trip..........Karen Tweed

I really hope you get this fast. I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Manila, Philippines for a program. The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. we misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment.

I am sorry if i am inconveniencing you, but i have only very few people to run to now. i will be indeed very grateful if i can get a loan of 2,300 Euro from you. this will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as I return. let me know if you can be of any assistance. Please, let me know soonest. Thanks so much..

The fact that I received something similar some while ago from Roger Wilson stuck in Madrid (whilst he was safe at home) was the first clue and then the second was that the email address it came from was not the one that I had in my email address book for Karen.
I have phoned Karen's agent Lorraine Carpenter and she has confirmed that this is a nasty lying scam.
Karen's address book has been hacked and it is likely that this email has been sent to all the contacts in this. Please share this with anyone who is likely to have received it and beware similar emails in future.
Vic

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: greg stephens
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:40 AM

This happened to me. Everyone I know in the world was informed I was stuck in Madrid with no money and no passport, and that I needed 700 euros. Incidentally, not one of my so-called friends sent any euros at all, apparently. Shows how much they care!

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:41 AM

Manila has a British embasy - able to sort things out like that -so if in doubt ( and I can see you are not on this one )- ask them to go there.
FloraG

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:42 AM

Friend Stranded in Foreign Country Scam Emails

A friend's email was also hijacked before christmas & unfortunately 2 friends in another state sent money. They only thought to call other friends who lived near the supposedly stranded person after they had replied & followed instructions which had one of then taking a cheque to a wire service.

Naturally the wire service won't give them back the money.

You were lucky, Vic

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Howard Jones
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:44 AM

This scam has been around for a while. There are a few clues in the text: I doubt whether Brits would use terms like "cell phone" or be asking for payment in Euros when they are supposedly outside the EU. Taken as a whole, the writing style doesn't quite ring true to me, and I doubt whether whoever wrote it was a native English speaker, or at least British English.

However when you get a message like this suggesting someone you know is in trouble, it's easy to overlook these nuances. Be careful.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Vic Smith
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:48 AM

Howard - plus "program" - the American spelling rather that the UK's "programme"?

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:52 AM

Yes. Has been going around for years. I got a number of those in the name of a number of Irish musicians over the years. It's so obvious only a complete eejit would fall for it.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Marje
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 08:33 AM

It's in such wobbly English (quite apart from the Americanisms) that I don't know how anyone could read it and not be suspicious. Scams like this are not confined to the folk world, and they usually give themselves away by their mangled use of English and inappropriate Americansisms. They also, typically, show a vagueness about who is in their party (family? friends? colleagues? - they never give names or details), why they are all left destitute at once, exactly where they are, and who, precisely, they hope will read the message and help them.

The only useful response is to find some way of contacting the apparent sender directly (e.g. by phone), so that they can then send out a correction and apology to everyone in their address book.

Marje

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Mick Pearce (MCP)
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 08:55 AM

Same scam was reported here in 08: angi & mick haywood e-mail scam.

Mick

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Megan L
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 09:39 AM

there seem to be a few threads on this from 2012

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 10:02 AM

I ask people to remove me from group email lists. If they don't, I make a second request. If it happens a third time I mark their email as spam, write to the individual and ask him/her not to write me again. It ain't rocket science, folks.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 11:04 AM

These mails are not based on group e-mail lists. They usepeople's address books (via hacking or virus). At the receiving end there's little you can do about it bar keeping your e-mail address to yourself.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 11:06 AM

I ask people to remove me from group email lists

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 11:21 AM

I also don't open any attachments unless I first check with the person who sent it.

I also do not ever download anything received in emails, period.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 11:21 AM

I got one supposedly from a folk festival organiser. Spotted as a scam.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 11:22 AM

Thanks for the info, Peter.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Mo the caller
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 12:02 PM

I get them from people I know, but not that well, and from people I only know from mailing lists and folk festivals. People who surely wouldn't ask me for money.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: EBarnacle
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 12:04 PM

As mentioned above, this has been around for a while. My consistent advice is to change your password and raise your e-mail security level. It will reduce the probability of your list being accessed. Unfortunately, it will still not keep others from being spoofed.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 01:55 PM

The following just in from

Customs and Border Protection

A shortwhile ago, one of our officials stopped a Diplomat from Malaysia carrying a consignment that was being delivered to your residence.

After a series of investigation, we found out that the consignment contained the sum of US$15.5 Million which upon further investigation revealed that the said funds is your inheritance.

We have done our due diligence and have confirmed that the funds rightfully belong to you and it is no threat to National Security.

Consequently, we have agreed that the delivery of this inheritance of yours be completed without further delay.

However, before the delivery is effected, we need you to reconfirm the following information so that the funds will not be delivered to someone else.

Full Name:

Residential Address:

Date of Birth:

Occupation:

Telephone/Mobile Numbers:

Your quick response will ensure that you receive your inheritance without delay.

Michael ********
Protocol Officer
Customs and Border Protection

########################################

'After a series of investigation, we found out that the consignment contained the sum of US$15.5 Million which upon further investigation revealed that the said funds is your inheritance.'

Ignoring the abuse of English, I expect the inheritance is from my Aunt Mehitabel who was a hooker in the shadier sections of Kuala Lumpur. She must have been exceptionally well paid to leave me over fifteen million bucks. Anyone wanna go to Hawaii?

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 03:27 PM

I've had this one before supposedly from a freind though it was better disguised and used my freinds usual greeting. I can't think anyone would be fooled.
Always check Snopes. (and ignore claims that the sender has checked with Snopes!)

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 04:00 PM

OK then, Hawaii's out.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Mysha
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 04:56 PM

Hi,

I keep seeing this strange urging in the scam messages: "Your quick response will ensure that you receive your inheritance without delay."?

I'm not rich, but I can suffer some delay in my receiving 15M. I expect most anyone able to receive Email would be.


Regarding the travel scam: People must be travelling really light, these days, if all their valuables fit inside a single wallet.

Bye
                                                                  Mysha

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 05:13 PM

Makes me really glad, that I don't know any famous folk singers. ;)

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Rumncoke
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 06:55 PM

This has been going around for some considerable time, it has already been on my machine knitting lists - I am not sure if that means that folk singers/musicians are regarded as meaner than knitters, or that knitters are thought of as dafter.

The story has altered from the original - which was far more exciting with a taxi being hijacked by armed men.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 06:59 PM

I hope some folklorist is archiving these scams for futur study!

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 07:38 PM

Who'd believe it, Steve?

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: sheila
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 09:32 PM

I've had similar supposedly from a member of a long-defunct political discussion group I moderated.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,999
Date: 28 Jan 13 - 09:45 PM

Aaaarrrgh. I thought I was especially singled out to receive that email. Death, where is thy sting? I hope Aunt Mehitabel is still with the living. We called her that because Auntie Twirling Lulu didn't seem dignified when we were youngsters.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Howard Jones
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 03:50 AM

I occurs to me that anyone who thinks folk enthusiasts have money to be scammed out of is sadly misguided.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Mr Red
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 04:38 AM

if you lok carefully at the addresses you will find the the "From" address is meaningless (I am told) it is just text. The reply address is very revealing, they open an account at gmail or live.co.uk (etc) with the same personal name. In replying you see the persons name (or soubriquet) and don't register the altered domain.

Another scam coming along is the "perfect job for you"
My recent instance came to an address I never use for jobs, the jobs one was always job@ or jobs@ (for jobsites). Given that I am an electronic engineer they sent a job spec for financial controller (no experience necessary) and I was perfect for the role!
I replied by using an e-mail address that looked like the name it came in on- asking them to pay a release bond and could they give me all their account details. I haven't heard from them.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Vic Smith
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 06:17 AM

Howard Jones wrote:-
"I occurs to me that anyone who thinks folk enthusiasts have money to be scammed out of is sadly misguided."

I wonder if Howard is aware of the the following piece of folk knowledge -

Question: How do you make your living as a folk singer and end up with £1,000,000

Answer: You start off with £5,000,000

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 07:23 AM

have a look at www.419eater.com quite funny really.. don'y know how people can be taken in with these things.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 08:33 AM

I have just had a different kind of malicious email today. Someone with a perfectly legit mailing list sent me a perfectly legit bulletin updating what she's doing - but all the hyperlinks in the mail had been tweaked so they didn't go to where they appeared to go. Instead they were all links to a PHP script with a long alphabet-soup name hosted at t.ymlp270.net.

I've seen that one before. Does it have a name?

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Harmonium Hero
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 01:56 PM

Just in case anyone receives one of these purporting to come from me, please be aware that
1: I have no passport.
2: I have no mobile phone.
3. I have only rarely travelled outside of the UK, and wouldn't go to most countries anyway, for one reason or another.
4. I don't do flying, so wouldn't be in possession of a plane ticket.
5. I have no credit cards.
6. I have no money. (I'm a folk singer, for God's sake).
However, if you are mug enough to want to send me money, I'd prefer GBP.

Vic: What do you call a folk singer who's split up with his girlfriend?.....Homeless.

John Kelly.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: kendall
Date: 29 Jan 13 - 03:42 PM

These thieves don't know that the collective IQ of Mudcatters is way above average.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: GUEST,Elisabeth
Date: 30 Jan 13 - 10:53 AM

I had one sent to me a while ago, only the person it was supposedly sent from was trapped in Cardiff....needless to say, I didn't become too concerned!

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Vic Smith
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 05:51 AM

Well, here's a funny coincidence between Karen Tweed and my friend Mark Ringwood of Roots Around The World based in Chichester.

* Neither Mark nor Karen have ever been to Manila.
* Both Mark & Karen were robbed there.
* Both Mark & Karen need financial help to return to the UK
* ... and this is a really odd co-incidence, bother Karen and Mark need exactly 2,300 euros to pay for their repatriation
* Both Karen and Mark told me of their plight in emails that do not come from their normal email address.

In an email dated 10.11 this morning Mark writes:-

Hello,

I am sorry for reaching you rather too late due to the situation of things right now.My family and I had a trip visiting Manila Philippines,everything was going on fine until last night when we got attacked by some unknown gunmen. All our money,phones and credit cards was stolen away including some valuable items, It was a terrible experience but the good thing is that they didn't hurt anyone or made away with our passports.
         
       We have reported the incident to the local authorities and the consulate but their response was too casual, we were ask to come back in 2 weeks time for investigations to be made proper,But the truth is we can't wait till then as we have just got our return flight booked and is leaving in few hours from now but presently having problems sorting out our bills here and also getting a cab down to the airport, Right now we're financially strapped due to the unexpected robbery attack, Wondering if you can help us with a quick loan to sort out our bills and get back home. All we need is (2,300 EUR), I promise to refund you in full as soon as I return home hopefully tomorrow or next. write back now to let me know what you can do.

Thank You.

Best wishes,

Mark Ringwood

I find it really surprising that the experienc of these two was so similar.

Subject: RE: A nasty scam aimed at folk enthusiasts
From: Mr Red
Date: 04 Feb 13 - 08:39 AM

I did once reply to one and pointed them in the direction of the consulate. They replied and suggested Western Union in Madrid. I lost interest in goading them at that point but wished I had sent one more e-mail suggesting I was in Madrid and could deliver the money in person. But hey - as a sport it is pretty lame anyway.