Geek Drivel

I’ve pretty much given up posting the spam and scam messages I receive here, because there’s very little new in them, just the same tired rehashes of the same tired fake offers. But this one is notable because it’s one of the few actual “money mule” e-mails I’ve ever gotten.

I know I shouldn’t have to say this, but if you ever get a message like this, don’t be tempted. You’re being asked to take stolen or scammed money from people and send it to the thieves, and when the police go looking, it’ll be you — the “mule” — who they charge.

Note that, like pretty much all spam, this was mass-produced and sent to lots of different e-mail accounts, which is obvious because the address in the to-line only has the same first few letters as one of my addresses. It was obviously sent to an alphabetical list of target addresses.

After much consideration, I’ve decided to leave the entire message unchanged, including the e-mail address, because someone might find this entry by searching on that. Again, don’t be tempted to contact this scammer! Continue reading ‘“Transactions specialist – flexi-time contract hire”’ »

I answer a soft knock on the front door a few minutes ago, still in my houserobe because the recent blizzard has driven me into semi-hibernation, to find two soft-spoken and well-dressed men at the door. One is in his late twenties, the other maybe forty, and each carries a handful of literature and a book with the suspiciously self-righteous look of a cheap but well-thumbed Bible, bristling with bookmarks. Even half-asleep, I have a good idea that they aren’t Fuller Brush salesmen.

“Good morning, sir,” twenty-something begins. “I hope we didn’t get you out of bed.” I mentally grant him minor points for noticing my attire. “Do you have a minute?”

“Not really.”

“Oh.” They seem taken aback by this. “Well, if we could just leave something for you to read. My name is Greg, by the way, I didn’t get yours…?” as he tries to urge a Watchtower on me.

“And you’re not going to either. Good day,” as I close the door.

You know, there’s a good reason why door-to-door salesmen have all but vanished. People don’t like having things pushed on them uninvited. But apparently certain groups haven’t quite gotten that. And I’m willing to bet they never will, too.