Online and Social Media Related Crime
Impersonating Email
An email looks like it came from your boss, a client, or a company you know. The address is only slightly different.
How Scam Works?
This chat is made up. It shows how the trick usually sounds. It is not a real message. Do not reply, and do not send money.
Demonstration
The boss’s name, from a new Gmail address
Scam message
I am in a meeting. Change today’s vendor payment to this new account. Do not call the office.
What you might say
I will confirm on your usual email.
Scam message
There is no time. The client is waiting. Send the payment from this mail only.
Confirm a payment change on a phone number or email you already use. Do not use the reply button on the new mail.
- 01
The name looks right
You see a person or company you know. The full email address is not the one you have used before.
- 02
The request is unusual
They want a new account number, a secret payment, or gift cards. They do not want a normal check.
- 03
The money is hard to get back
Once it is sent to the new account, the sender stops replying.