14 DAY TRIAL // Bitdefender warns Internet users from Germany to be on the lookout for scam emails that appear to originate from Deutsche Bank or from Spain’s Santa Lucia insurance company.
In the first scheme, recipients of emails entitled “Money Sent Today” are told that they will receive a large amount of money if they send some personal details that are allegedly needed to complete the transaction.
“This is to officially inform you that we have verified your contact inheritance file presently on my desk, and I found out that you have not received your payment due to your lack of co-operation and not fulfilling the obligations giving to you in respect to your contract /inheritance payment,” the scam emails read.
“Secondly, you are hereby advice to stop dealing with some non-officials in the bank as this is an illegal act and will have to stop if you so wish to receive your payment immediately.”
This particular scam has been seen around for a few months now. A few weeks ago, the messages purported to come from the Capital Bank of Ghana, but now, it appears that crooks have adapted it to target users from Germany.
The second scam targeting German internauts uses the name of the Spanish “El Gordo” lottery. The emails, apparently coming from the Santa Lucia insurance company, urge recipients to fill out an attached form and send it back to the crooks.
In both cases, the scammers gain access to large amounts of personal information, which they can use for all sorts of schemes, including fraud and identity theft. In some situations, the crooks will even try to convince their victims to send over a certain amount of money before receiving the prize.
That’s why users – from all over the world, not just Germany – are advised never to respond to shady-looking emails in which they’re informed that they’ve won large amounts of money.