'Nigerian Bank Scam' Meets Phishing Attack
Sunday February 20, 2005
For years there have been variations on the 'Nigerian Bank Scam'. Basically, an individual is promised a very large sum of money, typically in the millions, if they can assist with helping someone, generally a foreign dignitary of some sort, transfer an even larger sum of money out of an account in their country. Phishing attacks have now adopted a page from that playbook. Most phishing attacks either state that there has been some sort of fraud detected on your bank account or that for security reasons the company just wants everyone to validate their usernames and passwords. In either event, the attack preys on fear and naivete to get people to respond by providing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, account numbers, etc. to the attackers. The latest twist on phishing attacks combines phishing with the 'Nigerian Bank Scam' to use greed rather than fear as the driving force to prey on individuals. For more information about these new phishing attacks, see this article: New Phishing Tactic Dangles Millions As Bait. To learn how to defend yourself from being victimized by phishing attacks, read Protect Yourself From Phishing Scams.
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Here is a copy of a e-mail sent to me just today
THE BANK OF ENGLAND
THREADNEEDLE STREET,
EC2R 8AH LONDON,
Swift Code: BKENGB33 IBAN:
GB57BKEN10000025021001
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR,
Attention,
This office, The Bank Of England received an application to pay you a part payment of US$5.Million from the office of the presidency in Abuja Nigeria. AUTHORITY TO REMIT, Subject: transfer of funds into your bank account acting on the provisions of the British monetary and fiscal policy as stipulated, section 13 of the foreign exchange allocation committee of the bank of England, the governor of the bank wish to inform you that final arrangement has been made and concluded to remit the US$5 Million dollars into your nominated bank account in the orders of the ministry of finance (MOF) and in line with the British policy on foreign payment.
SEND US THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION (i)NAME OF BENEFICARY AND TELPHONE NO (ii) BANK NAME (III)ADDRESS (IV)ACCOUNT NO (V)BENEFICARY Note: You Are Hereby Advice To Stop Further Communication With The So Called Government Officials You Have Been Dealing With In The Past. This Office Is The Only Recognized Office From The Office Of The President Federal Republic Of Nigeria To Effect Payment To All Outstanding Beneficiary Like You And Please When You Want To Reply Kindly Make Sure That It Is Done With All Your Full Details As Above. Thank You And Hope To Hear From You As Soon As Possible.
Dr Wesly.Sidibe