Month: December 2022

The oldies called me earlier tonight asking me about a weird email I sent them, asking them to do an urgent Western Union transfer to my friend in Mumbai.

Yeah….

I logged into their email and I was, against my better judgement, impressed.

Their account has to have been compromised, because the scam is using an actual email I wrote to them, and the reply email is rglcote@gmall.com (spot the error). It’s also using the same form of address that I use.

I changed their password, flushed all active sessions, and did a quick scan of settings and sent/deleted emails. Nothing obviously wrong, but I’ll be keeping a close eye on things until I can check out their laptop myself.

Here are the two crap emails they received:

From: Richard Cote <rglcotegmall.com>
Sent: 01 December 2022 15:54
To: Mel And Pam
Subject: Re: Your Google Store shipment is here

Hi Mel and Pam

My apologies to bother you again.
Actually, a colleague of mine is supporting his wife who is in a bit of a medical mess right now and receiving treatment in Mumbai. They’re experiencing issues to meet up with their deadline and requested me to help them with Western Union Transfer.

Please would you be able to settle this on my behalf as it’s a time sensitive matter. I will reimburse you back the equivalent amount. I will forward email trail to you now,

Cheers and thanks,
Richard

From: Richard Cote <rglcotegmail.com>
Sent: 01 December 2022 13:05
To: Mel And Pam Grogan
Subject: Re: Your Google Store shipment is here<

Great, thank you!

On Thu, 1 Dec 2022, 14:00 Mel And Pam Grogan, wrote:
Yes and we have put it with the other envelope, so we can bring them with us xx

From: Richard Cote <rglcotegmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 12:37:53 PM
To: ICE – Mel and Pam
Subject: Fwd: Your Google Store shipment is here

Hi Mel and Pam

Did you get a parcel for me today?

Cheers and thanks,
Richard

And here’s the sob story between myself and my friends Brenton and Sandra:

Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 2:49 PM
From: “Richard Cote”
To: “Brenton Cobb”
Subject: Re: Hi Richard

Brenton,

I can send by transfer to your account and not Western Union. I will check and get back to you soon if I can make other arrangement.

Sending my love to you both.

Cheers and thanks,
Richard

On Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 04:52:53 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:

Richard,

Thank you for getting back to me and thanks for your concern on this matter.
I need it ASAP, the surgery is scheduled for Monday.

Please send it to my Name and present location via Western Union transfer.

My details are:
Name: Brenton Cobb
Address: No. 15, Mansarovar Building, 24, S. N. Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400069, Maharashtra, India

Please send me the necessary details on the receipt including the details you use in sending it, it’s important.
Kindly let me know how much I will receive here in rupees.

Looking forward to your reply.
Thanks Brenton

Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 1:49 PM
From: “Richard Cote”
To: “Brenton Cobb”
Subject: Re: Hi Richard

Brenton,
When do you need it and how can I get the funds to you?

Cheers and thanks,
Richard

On Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 03:52:53 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:

Richard,

Thank you for getting back to me.

Please I wanted to ask if you could help me with a loan of $1,500. I will make arrangement to refund you when we return. Could you please let me know just so I can advise on what to do to help.

Please forgive me for the short notice and I hope you can understand I will like to keep this between us, which is why I have asked via Email for your record.

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks Brenton

Sent: Monday, November 28, 2022 at 8:44 PM
From: “Richard Cote”
To: “Brenton Cobb”
Subject: Re: Hi Richard

Brenton,
Sending my love to you both. You are in good hands and I wish quick recovery.

Please let me know if you need my help in anyway.

Cheers and thanks,
Richard

On Monday, November 28, 2022 at 05:28:14 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:

Good Evening Richard,

Hope you’re well. I and Sandra are fine. We arrived this morning in Mumbai and Sandra is trying to relax as she did few test and scan.

She’s dealing with shingles, and have pain. Scrambling to get her potassium levels up before her scheduled surgery for Monday.

I’m experiencing issues with our account from here while I was trying to pay for deposit. It should be alright by midnite I guess.

Thanks Brenton