The KISS principle in scams

Here’s the deal. The scammers have learned that we’ve learned that they use bogus links to lure us to websites where they can download viruses and malware. From an optimist’s standpoint, this means it’s time for new tricks because the old ones aren’t working as well. Maybe. It could also mean this guy was just plain lazy. Or, that they’re now applying the KISS principle.

In any case, this email came in a couple of days ago and shot right past the spam detector. It’s got no links, no offers for Viagra or tester one boosters or any of the 1001 other snake-oil sales pitches they like to make. This one’s just short and sweet.

Attn,

This is to inform you that your transfer was cancelled due to unable to

secure the Official Revenue tax fee of $120 only. However, the Bank

director has said that once the Official Revenue tax is secured, your fund

will be transfer to you without any further delay.

We are sorry for any inconveniences this might have cost you.

Regards.

Strike 1: did I send a transfer? No.

Strike 2: if I didn’t send a transfer, why would I owe a revenue tax?

Strike 3: The return address showing in the From field is “United Bank for Africa” and the address was “ubaheadquarter@gmail.com.” Why would a bank be using a gmail account? In baseball this guy would be out of the game, but there’s a fourth problem. Do you know what it is?

Strike 4 is obvious, but not. It’s something that has become so pervasive that we’re probably starting to not even notice it. It’s the grammar. Did you catch it?

Maybe the spam detector wasn’t smart enough to spot this one, but I sure did. Send that baby to the trash and move on.