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.<\/p>\n
Yeah….<\/p>\n
I logged into their email and I was, against my better judgement, impressed.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here are the two crap emails they received:<\/p>\n
From: Richard Cote <rglcotegmall.com>
\nSent: 01 December 2022 15:54
\nTo: Mel And Pam
\nSubject: Re: Your Google Store shipment is here<\/p>\nHi Mel and Pam<\/p>\n
My apologies to bother you again.
\nActually, 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.<\/p>\nPlease 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,<\/p>\n
Cheers and thanks,
\nRichard<\/p>\nFrom: Richard Cote <rglcotegmail.com>
\nSent: 01 December 2022 13:05
\nTo: Mel And Pam Grogan
\nSubject: Re: Your Google Store shipment is here<<\/p>\nGreat, thank you!<\/p>\n
On Thu, 1 Dec 2022, 14:00 Mel And Pam Grogan, wrote:
\nYes and we have put it with the other envelope, so we can bring them with us xx<\/p>\nFrom: Richard Cote <rglcotegmail.com>
\nSent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 12:37:53 PM
\nTo: ICE – Mel and Pam
\nSubject: Fwd: Your Google Store shipment is here<\/p>\nHi Mel and Pam<\/p>\n
Did you get a parcel for me today?<\/p>\n
Cheers and thanks,
\nRichard<\/p><\/blockquote>\nAnd here’s the sob story between myself and my friends Brenton and Sandra:<\/p>\n
Sent: Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 2:49 PM
\nFrom: “Richard Cote”
\nTo: “Brenton Cobb”
\nSubject: Re: Hi Richard<\/p>\nBrenton,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Sending my love to you both.<\/p>\n
Cheers and thanks,
\nRichard<\/p>\nOn Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 04:52:53 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:<\/p>\n
Richard,<\/p>\n
Thank you for getting back to me and thanks for your concern on this matter.
\nI need it ASAP, the surgery is scheduled for Monday.<\/p>\nPlease send it to my Name and present location via Western Union transfer.<\/p>\n
My details are:
\nName: Brenton Cobb
\nAddress: No. 15, Mansarovar Building, 24, S. N. Road, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400069, Maharashtra, India<\/p>\nPlease send me the necessary details on the receipt including the details you use in sending it, it’s important.
\nKindly let me know how much I will receive here in rupees.<\/p>\nLooking forward to your reply.
\nThanks Brenton<\/p>\nSent: Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 1:49 PM
\nFrom: “Richard Cote”
\nTo: “Brenton Cobb”
\nSubject: Re: Hi Richard<\/p>\nBrenton,
\nWhen do you need it and how can I get the funds to you?<\/p>\nCheers and thanks,
\nRichard<\/p>\nOn Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 03:52:53 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:<\/p>\n
Richard,<\/p>\n
Thank you for getting back to me.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Looking forward to your reply.<\/p>\n
Thanks Brenton<\/p>\n
Sent: Monday, November 28, 2022 at 8:44 PM
\nFrom: “Richard Cote”
\nTo: “Brenton Cobb”
\nSubject: Re: Hi Richard<\/p>\nBrenton,
\nSending my love to you both. You are in good hands and I wish quick recovery.<\/p>\nPlease let me know if you need my help in anyway.<\/p>\n
Cheers and thanks,
\nRichard<\/p>\nOn Monday, November 28, 2022 at 05:28:14 PM PST, Brenton Cobb wrote:<\/p>\n
Good Evening Richard,<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
She’s dealing with shingles, and have pain. Scrambling to get her potassium levels up before her scheduled surgery for Monday.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Thanks Brenton<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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…<\/p>\n