I always find it interesting that depending on the time of the year there seems to be more of a certain type of theme in regards to scam e-mails. For example, I noticed that during the Christmas season I tend to get more scam e-mails that relate to things such as a person pretending to be an orphan that wants to wire money to you. For example, I got this today:
From – Sun Nov 10 00:39:58 2012
Return-Path:
Received: from mailserver.abv-group.ru (mailserver.abv-group.ru [178.251.137.12])
by mx14.futurequest.net ([10.2.1.187])
Received: from User ([75.148.96.153]) by mailserver.abv-group.ru with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.4675);
From: “Jack Ruben”
Subject: Hi
Date: Sun, 10 Nov 2012 01:36:40 -0700
X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000
Bcc:
Return-Path: jackruben91@orange.fr
Message-ID:Dearest,
I know my mail may be as surprise to you as a total stranger, but this is my quest to look for an honest person for assistance relating to my present difficulty. My mail may be brief to you but I promise to send you full details when I read back from you.
I am an orphan, I lost my parents and family members in a civil war in my country Syria and I escaped from my country through the help of the UN humanitarian organization. I have with me a document of deposit my late father made in a Paris bank which I need your help to release to your country for investment purpose while I relocate there to start a new life.
If you will help me, I will send you details about how to transfer the money legally to you and I promise to offer you 20% compensation when my fund released to you.If you are interested, write me for more details and deposit proof please keep this confidential.
For more security, please copy and reply to my private email: jackruben92@gmail.com
Jack.
10-11-2012
What this really makes me wonder is if scammers have like some kind of database in terms of market research such as if people are more susceptible to certain information during particular times of the year to increase the odds that someone will fall for it. For example, like with this Christmas is coming up and so maybe everyone is more inclined to think of things like an orphanage to help kids.
Kind of a waste of talent in many ways if so huh? One could easily be applying those research and marketing skills with more ethical activities.