14 DAY TRIAL // Since the holiday season is quickly approaching, the email spammers adapted and started new unsolicited messages assaults over millions of users from all over the world. Security vendor Marshal wrote that most spammers beg for donations such as second-hand clothes, blankets and... money. In fact, this last element is exactly what they are looking for because all the spammers aim to obtain money with their illegal activities. It seems like most messages refer to illness and beggary in Eastern Europe, demanding donations of all sorts of things including shoes, clothes or drugs.
"This scam is nothing more than a cynical attempt to extract money by taking advantage of people's good will and charity," said Bradley Anstis, VP Products at Marshal. "It is no coincidence that these emails are appearing in the lead-up to Christmas. Many people feel especially charitable and giving at this time of the year. The scammers are no doubt either trying to appeal to people's good will or guilt them into feeling sorry for the individual described in the story. Question these kinds of emails very closely."
The spammers are always up-to-date with the latest holidays, events or special moments, modifying their attacks every time there's something new out there. For example, one of the latest spam campaigns concerned the Halloween as the attackers attempted to lure victims on a dangerous website which was equipped with malware and other malicious content which could harm their computers.
"Our advice to people is to ignore and delete these kinds of messages. If you feel compelled to make a donation, get in touch with a legitimate, trustworthy charitable organisation that can get your money where it is most needed, not financing some distant conman's lifestyle. These scammers are not just robbing you, they are robbing the truly needy people who really can benefit from other's kindness as well," concluded Mr. Anstis.