Scam, Scammier, Scammiest
It didn't take long for the first scam letter of 2011 to appear in my e-mail junk folder. Today's e-mail brought this:
It's a little classier looking than the average scam e-mail (note the KMG logo), but this scam is scuzzier than all the ones I've received before—this one uses names of real people. Mendel Kaplan, who died in 2009, was indeed a real person—and philanthropist. And this e-mail uses the name of an actual lawyer and law firm. But it doesn't mention my name in a salutation.
A google search for KMG & Associates produces a website—kmgattorneys.com. Clicking on the URL produces this message: Warning - visiting this web site may harm your computer!
Gee, you'd think a law firm's website wouldn't have that kind of message on it. And you'd think that a lawyer would have a better handle on English usage than that used in the e-mail.
From: Attorney Johnny Klopper (For Trustees) Managing Partner (KMG & ASSOCIATES INC.) PRETORIA SOUTH AFRICA. NOTIFICATION OF BEQUEST: On behalf of the Trustees and Executor of the estate of Late Mr. Mendel Kaplan, I Once again tried to notify you as my earlier letter was returned undelivered. I hereby Attempt to reach you again by this same email address on the WILL. I wish to notify you that late Mr. Mendel Kaplan made you a Beneficiary to his WILL. He left the sum of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars (USD$4,500.000.00) to you in the codicil and last testament to his will. This may sound strange and unbelievable to you, but it is real and true. Being a philanthropist and a widely traveled man, he must have been in contact with you in the past or simply you were nominated to him by one of his numerous friends abroad who wished you good. Mr. Mendel Kaplan until his death was a Jewish representative and an Industrialist. He was a very dedicated Jewish who loved to give out. His great philanthropy earned him numerous awards during his Lifetime. Late Mr. Mendel Kaplan died on the 19th day of November 2009 at the age of 73 Years and his WILL is now ready for execution. According to him this money is to Support his christian activities (May his soul rest with the Lord) and to help the poor and needy. Please if I reach you as I am hopeful, endeavor to get back to me as soon as possible to enable me conclude my job. I hope to hear from you in no distant date. Feel Free to contact me on this email: XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX so we can proceed with your WILLED funds. Yours in His service, Attorney Johnny Klopper.Let's see. Mr. Kaplan was Jewish ("a very dedicated Jewish who loved to give out"), but he wants this money used to "support his Christian activities." Somehow he changed his mind in the last 52 days to "support humanity." I wonder how he did that, being deceased and all.
Looks like the e-mail wasn't sent exclusively to me either. Notice in the header below that it's sent to "undisclosed recipients." Shouldn't I be at least a little suspicious here?
And shouldn't I be suspicious that the real Johnny Klopper's e-mail address is different from both of these on the header?
This e-mail offer is "real and true," all right. A real and true scam.
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Labels: scam
posted by Becky Mushko | 4:43 PM
7 Comments:
I've gotten similar emails which I deleted. The sad thing is that the people who fall for these scams are the ones who can least afford to be taken advantage of.
Except for the fact that a few souls just might fall for this scam, I think it's funny. This would be a great letter to study in an English class on how NOT to write a letter. Also notice how the $ amount was written.
Johnny Klopper screwed me out of several thousand US dollars!
This scam is not dead. I received a somewhat similar email over the weekend.
Again, the name of a real attorney was used; a Mr. Richard Meaden of Johannesburg.
This email and the attached document shared the commonalities of a false email address to the purported issuer of the document, poor syntax and incorrect punctuation. The legal profession may be guilty of many sins but the poor use of language cannot be attributed to the corps as a rule.
Aye // Stephen C.
It has come to our attention that our firm KMG & Associates Incorporated’s details have been used as part of a fraudulent scheme, by posing that a long-lost relative has left their inheritance for the recipient of such e-mail and/or letter.
We wish to warn the general public that this is a fraudulent scheme and therefore request that no one adhere to any request as set out in the aforesaid letters and/or e-mails. These fraudulent Letters and E-mails have been forwarded to various recipients around the Globe who have suffered damages.
In pursuit to clarify our firm’s involvement in this fraudulent scheme we have approached the Law Society of the Northern Provinces of Republic of South Africa to inform other Law Firms and make them aware of such schemes.
We further wish to confirm that our website “Kmgattorneys.co.za” is a secure website which does NOT contain any virus threats to our valued clients. However, should you have any hesitation in visiting our Website, kindly contact our office to be assisted by one of our friendly staff members. Contact details; 012 460 5115
KMG & Associates is a reputable Law Firm serving Commercial clients over a period of 30 years. Our reputation and integrity is of high value to the firm and its personnel.
Yours Faithfully
The Board of Directors
These people have contacted me supplying ALL of my personal information....AND Kaplan IS a family name! Where is this information coming from? So far, everytime I've asked what this will cost me, the response is NOTHING...it sounds fishy....and how did they get MY INFO?
The bottom line is that anyone asking for your personal information and passport info via email automatically draws a red scammer flag... that is always the dead give away not to mention the fact that i have never heard of the person or parties involved
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