Online lottery scams are nothing new but sometimes cybercriminals outdo themselves in their attempts to lure unwary victims. Symantec researchers recently came across a 2010 World Cup football-related e-mail scam that not only offers the recipients cash, but also flights to South Africa, accommodation and match tickets!
Purporting to be from the Ghana Lottery Board and a major confectionary concern, the e-mail has the subject line “2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa – Prizes & Tickets Bonanza”.
The “lucky” winners have apparently been chosen in an electronic draw and apart from US$150 000, are promised a round-trip flight to South Africa to watch the matches live.
Says Symantec’s Paul Wood: “The scammers attempt to make the e-mail look more legitimate by providing links to the official Fifa website’s pages with information about tickets, and match fixtures.
“All the recipients need to do is forward their personal details; name, contact address, date of birth, occupation and so on. What follows, however, will be anything but a bonanza!
“The victims will be led through a series of communications with the scammers and almost certainly be asked to part with money in advance to secure their winnings and/or tickets. Yet another advance fee fraud.”