Scamming in my sleep?
So there I was, minding my own business, not in London, but comfortably asleep in my own bed in Saitama, Japan.
Meanwhile, as I slept, "I", or rather, someone posing as I, opened up a Facebook chat session with several of my Facebook friends and co-workers. Little did I know as I slept, "I" was in real big trouble having 'been mugged by gun point in London' and needed quick cash from friends.
Fortunately, none of my friends or colleagues are stupid enough to fall for this... they know me and the internet well enough not to trust such ridiculous tales. But for those that are unsure, I am posting this message to stay alert to the kinds of fraudulent conversations to watch out for.
A few co-workers were kind enough to capture the conversations with fake me...
Sample Conversations
(Friend names changed to protect privacy)
3:01:08 PM Allen: Hey Sean
3:01:09 PM Allen: How are you doing today
3:01:18 PM Sean: fair enough
3:01:23 PM Sean: what can I do for you?
3:01:34 PM Sean: Isn't it a bit late for you (in tok?)
3:02:00 PM Allen: I'm in a serious mess and i need your help
3:02:13 PM Sean: ?
3:02:44 PM Allen: I was mugged by some armed men at gun point in London england
3:02:58 PM Sean: wow
3:03:25 PM Allen: so freaked out here
3:03:53 PM Sean: understandable
...Allen disconnects...
...Sean is puzzled, but reports the incident to my company's security team...
A friend from Colorado sent me this:
5:30pm Allen: Hi Nick how are you doing today
5:30pm Nick: good how are you
5:30pm Allen: not good at the moment
5:31pm Nick: that doesnt sound good
5:32pm Allen: I was mugged by some armed men at gun point in london england
5:33pm Nick: that is no good
5:34pm Allen: i'm so freaked out here i need help getting back.
...Allen disconnects...
...Nick confused, but highly suspicious...
Another friend from New York sent me this:
2:49:44 PM Allen: Hey Andy
2:49:54 PM Allen: How are you doing today
2:51:04 PM Andy: hey, not bad
2:51:35 PM Andy: what's up?
2:52:49 PM Allen: not good at the moment
2:52:56 PM Andy: eh?
2:53:55 PM Allen: i'm in a deep mess and i need your help out
2:54:03 PM Andy: shit, ok, what can i do?
2:54:49 PM Allen: I'm stuck and stranded here in london england
2:55:15 PM Andy: really?
2:55:17 PM Andy: ok?
2:55:47 PM Andy: (also i have to take off in 15 for an appt.)
2:55:51 PM Andy: but yeah go for it
Changed status to Offline (2:57:56 PM)
2:57:57 PM Andy: i need your help out
Changed status to Online (2:57:58 PM)
2:58:06 PM Andy: sure? what can i do?
2:58:19 PM Allen: i need you to borrow me some money
2:58:54 PM Andy: ?
2:59:01 PM Andy: what are you doing in london?
2:59:32 PM Andy: ok convince me that this isn't a scam. go.
Summary
Always use common sense. Always stay alert. If something seems suspicious, it probably is.
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