Email Scam?

[Racehorse]

We received a call from friends working in Shanghai warning us we might receive an email containing an input form dressed up as an online address book.  The email bears a request to complete OUR FRIEND'S NAME address book.  Information requests name, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, just the sort of information you might expect to find in an address book.  It also included an option authorizing the collector (something called Ringo) to use the information.

Our friends had not requested nor authorized the email to be sent nor the information collected.  They believe their home computer was hacked and the request sent out to email addresses listed in their personal computer address book.

In our case, we had received the email, opened it, but simply deleted the message.  Since our friends have the information, it made no sense for them to ask for it.  Other friends called to complain about receiving the request, which is what alerted our friends and prompted their call.

Anyone come across the email?  I have no idea whether Ringo is a legitimate company or not.  So, beware.

[ex-Texan]

Here's a real email scam:

Attn Sir,

My name is Adamu Yazid, i am the managing director of Prudent Bank PLC here in Nigeria, on 20th Novmber 2004 MR. Haryanto Tomo from indonesia, deposited the sum of U$10million dollars with our bank here in Nigeria, up till then i did not head from him not until when i received a news that there was a tsunami in asia that kill thousands of indonesia's, include one of nigerian Prudent customer Mr.Haryanto.

Right now i am contacting you to know if you can help me to receive the money over there as his relatives or next of kin, since all my effort to locate his family with the telephone number he gave me (62853700612) proved nothing, if you are willing to do this deal, you should not in any reason tell anybody about this transaction until you confirm the money in your account/home, because all we need is to get the document of (change of onwership account from the federal high court) on your behalf. Always call me on my direct line+ 234-80-331-27-410 for security reasons or email me on: adamuyazid2@indiatimes.com

Waiting for your call now

Adamu Yazid

[Racehorse]

Yeah, I've received plenty of those too.

Googling for info on Ringo shows a lot of ticked off folks, including lists and messageboards, recieving requests to update their "friend's" Ringo online address books.

I'd consider Ringo a nuissance and a scam.

[Blue Champagne]

I've received these requests from friends who are using the Ringo program, and declined after reading the fine print. Scam? I don't know - but, like you, I didn't like the idea at all.

[Dashing Dasher]

I get the same stuff from Plaxo.