The Risks of Email -

Email is one of the biggest medium for spammers and con artists. Never trust an Email.

Email's can carry viruses, trojan horse programs and much more. According to IDC, The global market intelligence and advisory firm, the number of worldwide email mailboxes is expected to increase from 505 million in 2000 to 1.2 billion in 2005. Lots more targets for for spammers and crooks.

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What to Watch Out For

When you get used to receiving junk email (and you will) you will find spotting scams a lot easier. Your first impression will usually be right. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is. Always be suspicious. Remember that Email is not secure. No personal or business transaction should every be carried out via Email.

There are a number of scams floating around but most fit the same templates. That makes it a bit easer to spot them.

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Common Types of Email Cons

Internet Bank con

This one has been around for a while now and still catches many people every day. The details will be different for every copy you receive however the theme will be the same. The Email will pretend to be from your Bank or Building Society. The gist of the message will say that you details need updating. Or your account has been compromised follow the link to re enter your details. Most banks (all UK Banks) NEVER SEND Emails like this. The links in these Email will take you to sites that look EXACTLY like your banks website. Never follow links in Email messages. They could contain hidden redirects. Always type the url in full from your Bank's literature.

This type of Email has been around for quite a while yet still catches people. So always be skeptical when you receive an Email asking you to re enter your details.

What to do

If you receive one of these just delete it. They did not target you personally. Thousands are sent out every hour of every day. You do not need to report it. The banks and police are aware of these and get enough copies.

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Nigerian Email con

This scam started as a snailmail letter scam back in the 80's. Since then it has grown and evolved with the times. Now these scams take people for thousands of pounds every day. This type of con has earned the new nickname '419 con' "four-one-nine" is the Nigerian criminal statute code for fraud.

The normal theme for this type of Email is that a large amount of money needs to be moved from one country to another. They will tell you that they don't require any money from you. Just your assistance. Once the initial Email has sucked someone in the scam begins. They will say that something has come up. They need money for bribing an official, paying for transport costs etc. You get the picture. Once you get hooked it is often hard to get rid of these people.

What to do

If you receive a 419 letter by e-mail, do not reply, they have not targeted you personally. You can cause them some inconvenience by forwarding a copy of the e-mail to the Internet Service Provider from where the e-mail originated. Use the abuse address of the ISP.
For example:-
abuse@hotmail.com
abuse@yahoo
abuse@compuserve.com

You will have to include the 'full headers' with the message.This extra information is not shown by default, and the method of displaying it depends on the email program you use. If you don't know how to display full headers, please see the instructions in your mail program or website. Once done the ISP should then close the offending account.

Here is what the MET say on the 419 scam.

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There are lots of scams around so remember ' Be Suspicious' - ' Be Safe'

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