Tsunami Scams Emerge Amid Global Relief Efforts

As the world comes together to help those affected by the recent tsunami, malicious scammers are taking advantage of people's generosity, sending out emails and messages claiming to be from reputable organizations such as the Red Cross and Oxfam, as well as using the "Nigerian 419" fraud tactics. These scams aim to extract money from unsuspecting individuals, often with heart-wrenching stories of loss and destruction.

Recipients of these emails are being asked to send money or provide personal banking information, with some messages even claiming to have a large sum of money to be transferred from a bank in the Netherlands. Genuine charities never approach donors through spam, and experts advise dealing directly with a known charity and being cautious of website links and attachment files.

Sophos Anti-Virus has detected 300 and 800 copies of two different tsunami scams in Sydney, with the perpetrators appearing to be based in the US. These scams are being closely monitored by the internet security industry, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued warnings to avoid responding to emails or opening attachments that may contain hidden viruses.

Key Takeaways:

• Multiple tsunami scams have emerged in recent weeks, targeting unsuspecting individuals with fake emails and messages from reputable charities and individuals claiming to be tsunami survivors.
• Scammers are using tactics such as phishing, spamming, and offering to help locate missing victims for a fee to extract money from victims.
• The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has warned people not to respond to emails from those claiming to be tsunami survivors and not to open photographs of the catastrophe, as these may contain hidden viruses.
• Genuine charities never approach donors through spam, and experts advise dealing directly with a known charity and being cautious of website links and attachment files.
• Sophos Anti-Virus has detected 300 and 800 copies of two different tsunami scams in Sydney, with the perpetrators appearing to be based in the US.

Statistics:

• The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has detected a phishing attack using the tsunami as a come-on in the US last week.
• The attack asked recipients to open a link to a website where money could be donated, but the website was bogus and installed a spyware program on the victim's computer.
• Sophos Anti-Virus has detected 300 copies of one and 800 copies of another tsunami scam in Sydney.
• Bogus schemes range from spamming and phishing to offers to help locate missing victims of the disaster for a fee.

Sources:

• Guardian newspaper
• Sophos Anti-Virus
• US Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Red Cross
• Oxfam
• World Vision