The email goes as follows:
“To: *deleted*.com
Subject: Partnership Enquiry
Hello,
My name is Jason Miller and I am contacting you to discuss the option of purchasing a text link or banner on your website (*deleted*.com ).
Could you please tell me what is the price of one text link:
1) on your homepage only
2) all your pages
3) banner ad 120×60, 125×125 on homepage
4) banner ad 120×60, 125×125 on all pages
Thank you in advance!
Jason Miller”
At this time the situation might look puzzling: how is this a fraud if the sender is willing to spend money instead of asking for money? It’s quite simple. The victim will receive a check for a larger than sum that what the parties had agreed upon (for instance, $3000 instead of $2000).
Then, the scammer will ask the victim to refund the difference ($1000) via money transfer., claiming it was all an honest mistake. If you fall for the bait and sell something for $2000, you’ll receive a check for $3000.
Those who will hurry up and refund the money will lose the $1000. Money transfers can’t be stopped. As for the check, suffice to say it’s a genuine fake, only good to be the star feature in the trash can.
According to security company F-Secure, the new campaign might have some success, as the email message is more personalized than the standard spam emails. The body of the message includes the site name, which might be just enough to make some overlook the possibility of a scam.