Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Names of Scammers to Watch out for.

Even though they do use aliases instead of their real names it is wise to keep an eye out for these names and emails. You'll know an email scam when you see dollar amounts in the subject line in the millions or the words beneficiary, ATM,inheritence. and multiple emails being used that are not always on the same server as the company they claim to be with. IT'S BULLSHIT.
  • Mr.Henry Banko webxxxxx00486819@att.net
  • Dr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi(CBN) cbnatmcardss@e-mail.ua
  • Mr.Frank Moore or Mr.Ben Douglas UNITED NATION COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ASIA REGIONAL HEADQUARTER office_note@mail.ru, or asian_atmdpartment1010@live.com
  • Rodham Chambers or Frank Rodham test1@7sotok.ru or frank.rodham@gmail.com
  • Ms Susan Patrick susan.patrick@superposta.com or cole.peter007@gmail.com
  • Andrew Dey andrew34dey@yahoo.com.ph or linda@mail.nationalnurses.net
  • Barclay's Bank info@barclaysbank.org
  • Marie Rofrano e452911450@exchange.1and1.com or charityloansolution02@msn.com
  • From Cpt.John Brabner@aol.com or johanthony14@e-mail.ua
  • Mr. Edward Bartholomew edwarbar55@rediffmail.com or edwardbarth001@rediffmail.com
  • Dr.Mohamed Guru or MR.KINGSLEY MORRIS file.office840@yahoo.cn or agentnsley@yahoo.dk
  • Mr. Frank Ashley atmdepartment482@yahoo.cn or westernunionoffice503@yahoo.dk
  • Mr. Bernhard John sterry.nolloth@virgin.net or mr.bernhardjohn1@ymail.com
  • Mr. James Steve eduone@yahoo.cn
  • Sir Douglas Mike. officefile451@gmail.com or www.western_union@dgoh.org --> dude doesn't know how to write an email address.
  • Mr. Kelvin Walker hamptonsoffice@foxmail.com or info@tchile.com
  • DR. ROY MARK SMITH United NAtions info@un.org
  • Daniel Edins info_cwealth.drvd@yahoo.co.uk or kwallace_c_wealth_na@hotmail.co.uk
  • Mr Anthony Victor BARCLAYS BANK PLC
Watch out for the Nigerian scammers on Facebook. They like to play the romance card first or they will try to play on your greed to win you over and get you to put your guard down. If that doesn't work they pull the sympathy card. There is always a sob story that will involve a dead wife, a child in need, financial crisis of some sort that requires you to send money via western union. They claim to be millionaires, military or some other career choice they presume will impress the gold digger in you.

Another Business Scam From Andrew Dey

Tell tale signs this is a scam:

  1.  He called me Sir. I am not a sir.
  2. The enticing amount being offered is in the millions. No doubt this scumbag assumes I am as greedy as he is.
  3. it's an overseas offer.
  4. Asking for help from a stranger to transfer a ridiculous amount of money. Nonexistent of course.
  5. Offers to split the take with you. Indicitive of a criminal act.


Andrew Dey  


 Andrew Dey
Lloyds Bank TSB
Red Lion Court 46-48 Red Lion Court SE1 9EQ

                                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                            30/01/2013
                              URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL
Dear Sir,
I hope this proposal meets you in a good state of health.
I need your help to transfer and invest
US$10,000,000.00 (Ten Million United States
Dollars Only) that accumulated as undeclared
profit made by this branch of Lloyds Bank TSB ,
London under my management.
All that is required to get the funds transferred
out of here is to put your name on the Non-
investment account holding the funds. This
practically makes you a Non-Resident customer
of  Lloyds Bank TSB, London.
I will then guide you on how to apply for Closure
of the Account and credit transfer of the funds to
your designated bank account. You will get 40%
of the funds for your role.
If you get back to me with your physical contact
address and direct telephone number, we will
consummate the funds transfer within one week.
I am only to be contacted via
Private Telephone Number: +44 702  4032995
Private Fax Number:            +44 700 3900426
Private Email address: andrew10dey@yahoo.com.ph
Sincerely,

Andrew Dey

Airport Scam

Found this in my email today: Feb 5, 2013

Cargo Unit
Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Airport code: ORD
10000 West O'Hare
Chicago, IL 60666
USA
(773) 377-6807
Email:kellymartins830@yahoo.dk
ATTENTION: Final Notice of Your Package

In view of your inability to receive your package with registration #: CT8100AF from National UK Lottery london united kingdom,originally scheduled to be delivered to you by an agency, city express delivery (c.e.d). This package in a golden metal box valued $5,316,000 USD (five million three hundred and sixteen thousand dollars)
mistakenly arrived at Chicago O'Hare International Airport terminal 5 via British airways flight no.BA297 from Heathrow airport London sometime ago. The package with registration no,#: CT8100AF has been cleared by the usa customs and is 100% legitimate. The agency, attached to the airport, city express delivery (c.e.d) who delivered your package to your address have just return the package to our storage facility at the Chicago Airport, due to incomplete address.

Please reconfirm these information's;
1. Your Full Name; ......................
2. Your current address; ............................
3. Your phone number; ....................................
4. Nearest airport to your location ..................................
5. Your Occupation; .......................................
Therefore, iam writing to inform you that the days of grace has elapsed and we shall begin to charge the daily storage fee of $25usd. Please call KELLY MARTINS on (773) 377-6807 Extension 21 terminal 5 or contact Email address: kellymartins830@yahoo.dk to release this package directly to you.

Note that this notice serves as our last recovery notice to you as our department will be compelled to shortlist your package as an unclaimed consignment, and maybe forfeited.
Note: Delivery of your package from the airport to your residential address is free.
Best regards,

Mr.Kelly Martins
STORAGE OFFICER Terminal 5 Extension 11
Phone: 773- 377-6807
Email:  kellymartins830@yahoo.dk
 
 
An

Ransomware Watch out for this one

Source: http://www.ic3.gov/media/2012/121130.aspx

Intelligence Note

Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)


November 30, 2012



Citadel Malware Continues to Deliver Reveton Ransomware in Attempts to Extort Money

A new extortion technique is being deployed by cyber-criminals using the Citadel malware platform to deliver Reveton ransomware. The latest version of the ransomware uses the name of the Internet Crime Complaint Center to frighten victims into sending money to the perpetrators. In addition to instilling a fear of prosecution, this version of the malware also claims that the user’s computer activity is being recorded using audio, video, and other devices.
As described in prior alerts on this malware, it lures the victim to a drive-by download website, at which time the ransomware is installed on the user's computer. Once installed, the computer freezes and a screen is displayed warning the user they have violated United States Federal Law. The message further declares that a law enforcement agency has determined that a computer using the victim's IP address has accessed child pornography and other illegal content.
To unlock the computer, the user is instructed to pay a fine using prepaid money card services. The geographic location of the user's PC determines what payment services are offered. In addition to the ransomware, the Citadel malware continues to operate on the compromised computer and can be used to commit online banking and credit card fraud. Below is a screenshot of the new variation.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Employment Scam/ Check Fraud

This one is SOOO obvious, Check out the job description at the bottom of this email. There's the give away. That's the exact instructions given in EVERY check fraud scam.

This is a form of bank robbery by proxy.

How this works is they get you to open a bank account in your name where you will be cashing their worthless checks and giving them the bulk of the money after you take your cut. Because the know you will be stupid enough to open the new account at your own bank, they also know the bank will take back the money you were paid for cashing those worthless checks and charge you with check fraud. Then you are stuck paying back all of the money you were stupid enough to wire off to these Nigerian thieves.


From: Hamptons Estates <info@tchile.com>
To:
Sent: Sunday, January 27, 2013 3:49 PM
Subject: Employment Offer



Hamptons Estates Limited,
Office of Employment Director,
32 Grosvenor Square,
Mayfair, London W1K 2HJ.
Dear Sir/Madam,
This is to inform you that we are offering you a job position as our agent in the U.S if you are able to prove your credibility as a reliable business individual.
ABOUT US:
Hamptons Estates Limited is a well co-ordinated business firm with the head office in the UK. We have our branches in Avon Rd, Cannock and in Pedmore Rd, Lye all in UK. Hamptons Estates Limited in conjunction with Ebay as part of our ongoing Multi Level Online Marketing Network will like to employ more hands for more effective business in 2013. Presently, we have customers/affiliates and small business organizations that are registered under us in the United States, Canada and Europe. This network has made us a link between some small scale business organizations and we have over 200 Small Business Organization and over 10,000 individuals registered and placing their adverts with us around the globe.
OUR PROPOSAL:
Due to the world's globalization with various kinds of payments available for products and services and with most of the American customers/affiliates and Small business organizations always offering to pay for our services with an account that is located within the United States as most feel safer transacting business this way, we need a middle man located in the United States who will be our U.S accounts officer.
REQUIREMENT:
Proposed worker must be reliable, able to prove his identity, motivated and productive, must be 18 years or above, must have access to internet and a phone where he can be contacted and must have ability to record every transaction processed in case of emergency.
SALARY/JOB DESCRIPTION:
Your job requires you to open a bank account in any of our preferred banks in the U.S. The job requires a flexible schedule shift that would not affect your present state of work. Your salary is based on commission. Your commission will be fifteen (15%) of every transaction you process on our behalf. This implies that every $5000 you recieve on behalf of Hamptons Estate, you stand to gain $750. You will deduct your $750 and transfer the remaining $4250. Does it sound like your dream job?
INTERESTED APPLICANT:
If you are interested in starting the job, please get back to the employment director on this email ( hamptonsoffice@foxmail.com ) and with the following details:
Full Name:
Street address:
City:
State:
Zip code:
Age:
Gender:
Phone # :
Occupation:
Job Experience:
PLEASE NOTE:
This transaction is risk free and legal under the reserved bank operation act of 2005.
Faithfully,
Employment Director.
Mr. Kelvin Walker


Dr. OZ Scam Ads

I got this straight from the mouth of Dr. OZ. If you see any ads claiming the advertised product has been endorsed by Dr. Oz. IT'S A LIE. Dr. Oz said it himself on his show, "I do not endorse any products. So if you see a claim with my name on it the claim is false."
So now it's up to you to decide if you are going to trust a business that has no problem using deceptive marketing practises.

As far as I am concerned, I refuse to do business with liars and cheats. What's to stop them from ripping me off? If they have to lie to sell their product then it can't be that good. I'm not going to buy it. Business is so damned corupt these days you have to check the facts before you buy anything. It's always Buyer Beware.

419 or ATM Card Scams


 
From: UNITED NATIONS OFFICE <officesendingmessagetocustomers@ymail.com>
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 10:54 AM
Subject: YOUR ATM CARD NOTIFICATION
 
 


UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR THE COORDINATION
OF HUMANITARIAN AFFAIR.

Good Day,

I am directed to inform you that your payment verification and confirmations are correct, therefore we are happy to inform you that arrangements have been concluded to effect your payment as soon as possible Due to your long over-due payment which you have been finding it difficult to receive via a Certified Bank Draft issued by the UN Promo, we have arranged your payment through UBA Bank ATM Card Payment Center, this is an instruction passed by the United
Nations in respect to all over delayed payment and debt re-scheduling.

We will send you an International Swift ATM Card that has been approved in your favour with Card Number: 5221236454000080, with valued sum of $1.600,000 USD (ONE Million And six Hundred Thousand USD Only), which you are to use in accessing your fund in any ATM Stand/location worldwide and remember that the maximum withdrawal daily limit is Five Thousand United States Dollars (US$5,000.00). We have concluded delivery arrangement with the TNT courier services. Please note that the TNT Courier Company is fully insured by Nicon Insurance Corporation.

Kindly provide the details below for delivery.

1. Valid Delivery Address.................

2. Full Names..............................
3. Phone Number...........................
4. Other Email............................
5. Occupation.............................
6. Country.................................
7. Date of birth..........................

Please do confirm that you will take responsibility for the cost of delivery ($ 150), so that i will know how to proceed with you. Please be informed that the delivery will be made to your address in 48 hours (2 days) after our confirmation of this payment for delivery, as you know that the delivery fee receipt will be also attached on your payment delivery documents to avoid your package being delayed by customs.

Here is the information were to send the $150 via western union money transfer.
Receiver Name.: ............. Nwekwu Miracle
Country.:................ Republic Of Benin
City........................ Cotonou
Test Question................Today
Answer.................. Yes
Amount...............US$ 150.00usd
MTCN..............?
Sender's Name................?


Treat urgently and note that your ATM Card is ready and available for dispatch to you and contact us via (
mr.paul_white3333@yahoo.fr)


Regards,
MR. PAUL WHITE
+229-98773986
 
I bet you can Google any of this information and it will come up susicious or bogus.

Wire Transfer Scams (Western Union, Money Gram)

 
In case you're wondering what the blank boxes are, they are blocked images sent with the email. 2 things about email  images, advertisers use them to track you online so they can target their ads at you and hackers/ scammers use them to break into your computer and steal your information that way. NEVER NEVER NEVER unblock email images or click on links inside any email.
One thing all of my postings have taught me is that if the sender email ends in with.cn there's a good chance it's a Nigerian scammer. watch out.

From: Mr. Good Luck Anderson <filleoffice714@yahoo.cn>
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 11:01 PM
Subject: WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER



DollarsDollarsDollars DollarsDollars
WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFERAddress: No. 5 Western Avenue Cotonou,West Africa, Republic Du' Benin
Dear: Customer: call us +22998836350
Information reaching us from our corporate headquarters here in Porto - Novo, the capital state of Benin Republic, states that you only have 48hours to effect your payment for the updating of your mtcn# number to enable you cash up your first $5000 from your total fund of (seven hundred thousand united state dollars) since you are finding it difficult to make this payment we have decided that you are to go ahead and pay whatever you have out of the total fee of $1500 required for the updating fee since you are not able to come up with the required charge. But mind you, no amount below $250 will be accepted so we expect you to pay amount from $250 and above. You are to pay what ever you have for the updating feewhatever and we will activate your mtcn# number upon receipt of this payment. Be informed that you will have to pay the balance fee of your updating upon cashing up of your first $5000 also I am using this medium to inform you that failure to pay the balance charge will leave us with no option but to deactivate your mtcn # number of which you will and can never cash up the balance fee and the total is $2.25m, I want you to send the updating and activation fee with the information bellow. Country---------------------------Benin Republic.Receiver’s Name--------Mrs Okechukwu A DominicCity---------------------------------Cotonou.Test Question------------------WHO?Answer----------------------------GOD.Amount............................$250 usd Please any amounts you send let us know but remember what so ever amount below $250 will not be accepted. You can send us the payment information’s immediately you send the money. Immediately we confirm the activation fee we will send you the first receipt of your $5000 at the same day. Regards Mr. Good Luck Anderson from western union money transfer office Porto-Novo Benin Republic. In addition to this, we have decided to compensate our entire client due to their inability to pay the requested fee from the authorities, the compensation started this morning been 28th of Dece and it will end on 23th Jan 2013 by reducing the high cost to low amount. As the matter of fact, the transferring fee and all cost requested from the authorities has been cut down to any amount as you can afford and that is only money you have to pay to receive your payment because the transferring of your funds were approved and signed as well and we do contacted you today for your immediate attention over it. Note that anything that has the beginning is also has the end in that case, first come first serve.Western Union Money Transfer Service Office. You are entitle to receive your payment today if you do send the money today as wellWe are waiting to hear from you today with the fee to enable this department to release your payment immediately.
Best Regards;Mr. Good Luck AndersonWESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER


DollarsDollarsDollarsDollarsDollars
**********************************************************************************

Here's another one for you. Notice the .cn extention on all links. LOL Nigerian pretending to be from India. Buhahaha. dumb ass.
From: Dr Dvid Kum <moneytransfer_lee0007@yahoo.cn>
To:
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 9:27 PM
Subject: WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER INDIA
Dollars
DollarsDollars Dollars
WELCOME TO WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER INDIA
NEW DELHI RD,MANAGER/HEAD OF DEPT KUMAR SQUARE
REGION: NEW DELHI INDIA , AMOUNT INVOLVED: ($3.5 MILLION)
PHONE NUMBER: +2348057445324


ATTENTION BENEFICIARY.

PLEASE YOU ARE ADVISE TO GO TROUGH THIS EMAIL CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND AND READY TO COMPLY WITH THE CONTENTS BEFORE REPLYING TO IT. WE ARE INSTRUCTED BY UNITED NATIONS AND YOUR COUNTRY EMBASSY HERE IN NEW DELHI INDIA TO TRANSFER YOUR FUND TO YOU VIA OUR SERVICE ''WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER BECAUSE OF AFRICAN SCAMMERS. THEY FORWARDED YOUR PAYMENT TO US HERE IN INDIA BECAUSE OF THOSE AFRICA PEOPLE WHO DONT WANT TO RELEASE YOUR MONEY, SO YOU WILL BE RECEIVING $10,000.00 USD DAILY FROM NEW DELHI INDIAN UNTIL IT COMPLETE THE CORRECT AMOUNT ($3.5 M).

MEANWHILE YOU ARE REQUIRE TO SEND US THE SERVICE CHARGES WHICH IS $150 USD FOR THE $10,000.00 THAT WE HAVE ALREADY REMIT TO YOUR NAME, BECAUSE WITH OUT THAT YOU CAN NOT PICK THE MONEY FOR IT IS ON HOLD.

NOTE: THE REASON WE NEED YOU TO SEND US THE $150 USD IS THAT WE TRIED TO DEDUCT THE SERVICE FEE OUT FROM YOUR FUND BUT THE MINISTER ADMINISTRATOR TRUST FUND OF INDIAN TOLD US THAT NO ONE HAS ACCESS OVER YOUR FUND AS IT HAVE BEEN SIGNED AND STAMPED THAT NO MONEY SHOULD BE DEDUCTED UNTIL IT GETS TO YOU TO AVOID ANY MISUNDERSTANDING BECAUSE IF ANY ONE HAS ACCESS TO THAT IT WILL INVOLVE YOU LOOSING YOUR FUND, YOUR TOTAL AMOUNT IS HERE IN INDIA WE WILL RELEASE THE FIRST 10,000.00USD IMMEDIATELY YOU SEND THE SERVICE CHARGE $150 USD.

HERE IS THE INFORMATION OF THE ONE WE SENT TODAY TO YOU BUT IT WILL REMAIN ON HELD UNTIL YOU SEND US OUR SERVICE CHARGES OF $150 BEFORE WE CAN RELEASES IT TO YOU, SO YOU CAN TRACK IT WITH OUR WEB SITE. http://www.westernunion.com/WUCOMWEB/staticMid.do?method=load&countryCode=US&languageCode=en&pagename=HomePage

Sender's First Name: Sarda Aboubacar
Sender's Last Name: Ouedraogo
MTCN: 769***1097 WE CAN'T GIVE YOU THE COMPLETE MTCN UNTIL YOU SEND OUR SERVICE CHARGE $150
Text Question: Honest
Answer: Trust
Amount: $10,000.00

FINAL UPDATE US WITH THE $150 USD TO ENABLE US PROCEED ON YOUR PAYMENT IMMEDIATELY, BELOW IS THE INFORMATION YOU WILL USE TO REMIT THE $150 USD VIA WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER BEEN OUR SERVICE CHARGE.

RECEIVER NAME: AJAH EMMANUEL
COUNTRY: INDIA
CITY: NEW DELHI
TEST QUESTION: COUNTRY?
ANSWER: INDIA.
AMOUNT: $150

CONTACT EMAIL: western_money2013@yahoo.cn

RECONFIRM YOUR
FULL NAME:..........
FULL ADDRESS:................
PHONE NUMBER:..............

Regards
Dr Dvid Kum
Director General western union money transfer India ®
EMAIL: western_money2013@yahoo.cn
PHONE NUMBER: +2348057445324

Phishing Scam

One thing I am not stupid enough to do is download email attachments from anyone I don't know. This email came with an *.rtf document. Nothing else. So look for this sender and subject info because I did not download the attachment From: Ambassador James Knight <0-00-0office800@att.net> To: Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 2:12 PM Subject: Fw: Re:Your Victory Has Come , So Be Happy To Open The Attachment And Read The Message .

Loan Scam

This fool uses their cell phone to scam people. Check this out.
Won't be too difficult tracking this dumb ass down. LOL Lovin' it.  ^_^
Sent from
stellaokosunloanfirm@gmail.com <-- found that info in the header info.
From: Mrs. Stella <web.offer.loan453@att.net>
To:
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 6:24 AM
Subject:


Do you need a loan?
Name:
Country:
Amount:
Duration
Phone Number:

This email shows the classic tell tale signs of a nigerian Identity theft scam.

Richard Whiteman Scam


From: MR. RICHARD WHITEMAN. <richardwhiteman30@yahoo.com>
To:
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 1:11 PM
Subject: Dear Valued Customer,


Dear Valued Customer,

This is JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, a finance company based here in UK; We represent some African Governments to offset their debts that have arrived
from contract jobs, inheritance, and major trade funds. I do not know you in person neither have we had any transaction before but
I am contacting you on the information given to me by the governing body of this bank and in reference to the enabling act of the World Bank/ IMF
payment prerequisites to credit your account with the sum of $6,800,000.00
.

Presently, I have your email address on my file for immediate PAYMENT SCHEDULE, which has been approved by the accountant general, as all claims
for this first quarter of the fiscal year are paid out through our bank. Kindly contact, Senior Manager, Currency Control Unit/Remittance for your
claims. You are advised to submit the below information for immediate fund wire transfer:

Beneficiary's Full name:
Address:
Tel:

Please Contact:

Mr.Richard Whiteman
Senior Manager: Remittance/Currency Control Unit,
For: JP MORGAN CHASE BANK,
E-mail:

We are very sorry for the delay on procedure please accept our apologies.

Sincerely,
Chase Online(SM)
© 2013 JPMorgan Chase & Co.
 
Even the devil uses a little bit of the truth to make his lies convincing. LOL Don't they realize that if we are such a valued customer the bank would know us by our name? DAH! Do you know a legit banker that uses a yahoo or gmail or hotmail address for doing business? Me either. 


 

Online Lottery Scam

Online gambling is illegal in the US. and nothing is free.

From: Grand-Palace <no-reply@sysas.nl>
To: johnathan.davies27@yahoo.com; smitty6_26@yahoo.com; mrandmrs_portal@yahoo.com; lawson992000@yahoo.com; laditmb37@yahoo.com; johnson.jeremiah29@yahoo.com
Sent: Friday, February 1, 2013 8:48 AM
Subject: Spin & Win with 10 USD TotallyFree



U.S. Players - Spin & Win with $10 on Us!

Start strong with $10 TotallyFree - NoDeposit Necessary!
Here’s your chance to win big and have fun-risk-free! See what Grand Palace has in store for you!
Just Use Code: 10CASH

Plus take up to $4,000Free with a 400% match on your 1st dep.!
Use Code: SUPER400

Visit Hidden for your FreeBonusCash!
1. Download the Software
2. Create an Account
3. Select Cashier
4. Enter Code

Get Spinning & Winning Today!
Link removed






#############################################
Click here to opt out of this email:
Link removed

Business Scam

Here's a new one. I have seen a lot of scams in my day but this one is new. The tell tale signs of a typical scam are there. Check it out. See if you can spot them. The email is verbatum. Nothing has been altered,

From: Bailey Carter <web@ynu.edu.cn>
To:
Sent: Saturday, February 2, 2013 9:10 AM
Subject: your f o b price


Compliments of the day,


My company has asked me to make inquiries into the purchase of your company’s product listed on site; I wish to know the originality of this product because we are aware they make fake product also over.


So we wish to know how genuine this product is and the warranty of this product as we wish to make large amount in purchase of this product.
We are looking forward to hearing from you.


Regards,


Mrs Bailey Carter.

Marketing & General Manager.

Great & Tonnes Universal Ltd

5575 Mitchell Avenue, Riverside

California 92505

United States

Tel: +1 244-709-7518
 
I looked this number us on google and lowin behold don't I find even more scams to watch out for.

Internet Fraud, Investment Schemes, Reverse Mortgage Scams

Internet Fraud
As web use among senior citizens increases, so does their chances to fall victim to Internet fraud. Internet Fraud includes non-delivery of items ordered online and credit and debit card scams. Please visit the FBI’s Internet Fraud webpage for details about these crimes and tips for protecting yourself from them.
 
Investment Schemes
As they plan for retirement, senior citizens may fall victim to investment schemes. These may include advance fee schemes, prime bank note schemes, pyramid schemes, and Nigerian letter fraud schemes. Please visit the Common Fraud Schemes webpage for more information about these crimes and tips for protecting yourself from them.
 
Reverse Mortgage Scams
The FBI and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General (HUD-OIG) urge consumers, especially senior citizens, to be vigilant when seeking reverse mortgage products. Reverse mortgages, also known as home equity conversion mortgages (HECM), have increased more than 1,300 percent between 1999 and 2008, creating significant opportunities for fraud perpetrators.
Reverse mortgage scams are engineered by unscrupulous professionals in a multitude of real estate, financial services, and related companies to steal the equity from the property of unsuspecting senior citizens or to use these seniors to unwittingly aid the fraudsters in stealing equity from a flipped property.
In many of the reported scams, victim seniors are offered free homes, investment opportunities, and foreclosure or refinance assistance. They are also used as straw buyers in property flipping scams. Seniors are frequently targeted through local churches and investment seminars, as well as television, radio, billboard, and mailer advertisements.
A legitimate HECM loan product is insured by the Federal Housing Authority. It enables eligible homeowners to access the equity in their homes by providing funds without incurring a monthly payment. Eligible borrowers must be 62 years or older who occupy their property as their primary residence and who own their property or have a small mortgage balance. See the FBI/HUD Intelligence Bulletin for specific details on HECMs as well as other foreclosure rescue and investment schemes.
Tips for Avoiding Reverse Mortgage Scams:
  • Do not respond to unsolicited advertisements.
  • Be suspicious of anyone claiming that you can own a home with no down payment.
  • Do not sign anything that you do not fully understand.
  • Do not accept payment from individuals for a home you did not purchase.
  • Seek out your own reverse mortgage counselor.
If you are a victim of this type of fraud and want to file a complaint, please submit information through our electronic tip line or through your local FBI office. You may also file a complaint with HUD-OIG at www.hud.gov/complaints/fraud_waste.cfm or by calling HUD’s hotline at 1-800-347-3735.
Read our intelligence bulletin on reverse mortgages.
Additional Resources on Frauds Impacting Seniors:
- USA.gov Resources for Seniors
- Resources from the United States Senate Special Committee on Aging

Telemarketing Scams

The following are some of the most common scams that the FBI investigates and tips to help prevent you from being victimized. Visit our White-Collar Crime and Cyber webpages for more fraud schemes. To report cases of fraud, use our online tips form or contact your nearest FBI office or overseas office. Telemarketing Fraud When you send money to people you do not know personally or give personal or financial information to unknown callers, you increase your chances of becoming a victim of telemarketing fraud. Here are some warning signs of telemarketing fraud—what a caller may tell you:
  • “You must act ‘now’ or the offer won’t be good.”
  • “You’ve won a ‘free’ gift, vacation, or prize.” But you have to pay for “postage and handling” or other charges.
  • “You must send money, give a credit card or bank account number, or have a check picked up by courier.” You may hear this before you have had a chance to consider the offer carefully.
  • “You don’t need to check out the company with anyone.” The callers say you do not need to speak to anyone including your family, lawyer, accountant, local Better Business Bureau, or consumer protection agency.
  • “You don’t need any written information about their company or their references.”
  • “You can’t afford to miss this ‘high-profit, no-risk’ offer.”
If you hear these or similar “lines” from a telephone salesperson, just say “no thank you” and hang up the telephone. Tips for Avoiding Telemarketing Fraud: It’s very difficult to get your money back if you’ve been cheated over the telephone. CLICK HERE TO FINISH READING THIS ARTICLE