A clever plot that has been making the rounds in the past period

Oct 24, 2012 19:51 GMT  ·  By

Kaspersky’s spam report for September 2012 has brought to my attention an interesting 419 scam. It doesn’t employ any new techniques, but it’s worth mentioning because it highlights the fact that scammers use the names of popular individuals to ensure the success of their campaigns.

The emails read something like this:

“Good Day.

I am Mrs.Michelle Obama and i am here to inform you that your SCAM VICTIMS COMPENSATION FUNDS from white house here in Washington DC is the sum of $20.000.000 twenty million us dollars. and the funds will be delivered to you as soon as you get back to me with your home address and your cell phone numbers.

bear in mind that i am the only one that has your funds in regard to my husband Mr Barack Obama and you will have to pay the sum of $260.00 before your funds will be delivered to you today so get back to me with your home address.”

Although the US government – the Federal Trade Commission in particular – does refund the victims of scams in some cases, the refund notifications would certainly never come from the spouse of the US president.

Never respond to such emails since you’ll be sucked into a scheme that might get you in a whole lot of trouble (anything from emptied bank accounts to money laundering charges).