Kerry donors targeted by fake e-mail (from 8/2/2004)

MSNBC ^ | August 2, 2004 | Bob Sullivan

[upchuck]

In a world awash in fake e-mails designed to steal personal information, it was probably inevitable. This weekend, researchers discovered a near perfect imitation of a recent solicitation sent by the Kerry-Edwards campaign. The notice was a hoax, sending users off to a Web site controlled by a computer hacker.

The e-mail appears to come from John Kerry's brother, Cam.

"As John's brother, I have been by his side through tough fights," the e-mail begins. "While this campaign is one of the toughest, it is also the most important -- for our country, and for our world. I can tell you that when the going gets rough, there isn't anybody I want by my side more than my brother John."

The e-mail then calls on recipients to donate to the Kerry campaign, providing a link to a special Web page ostensibly designed to accept payments over the Internet. But the Web page was really based in India. And any "donation" made using it is probably lost forever.

Researchers assume that aside from stealing money, the hoax's intent was to lure supporters of the Democratic ticket into becoming victims of identity theft.

Debra DeShong, spokeswoman for the Kerry campaign, confirmed that the e-mail incident occurred, but said she had no information about how widespread the problem may be.

[upchuck]

NOTE: THIS IS FROM AUGUST 2, 2004.

Ever so clever hackers. Read the article to see how the sKerry campaign thwarted the hacker's attack. Gotta give 'em credit.

[Slump Tester]

I'll bet the ONLY dumb asses who fall for the Nigerian scam are rats! I wonder how many bit on this one?

[atomicpossum]

Read the article to see how the sKerry campaign thwarted the hacker's attack. Gotta give 'em credit.

I do the same thing to worms who leech images off my websites-- I turn them into ads for me.

[Slump Tester]

"You could have gotten this one twice, once because you were member of the Democratic Party, and once from the criminal," Klein said."

He's being redundant, isn't he?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

And yet, not all these apparent 'scam' solicitations are fakes. John Kerry himself became fabulously wealthy by promptly responding to this email that he received some years ago:

"My Dear Mr. Kerry:

I am the widow of a former US Senator who tragically died in a plane crash. His will has left me hundreds of millions of dollars. However, as a native of Mozambique, I am having difficulties repatriating the funds to the US. If you would be willing to cooperate with me in this venture, I would be pleased to share 40& of the proceeds with you.

Hoping most urgently to obtain your positive response to this inquiry for a transaction that I assure you will be mutually beneficial, I remain,


Sincerely Yours,

Madame T. (Viuda)de Heinz
Maputo, Mozambique"

[jojodamofo]

Targeting the weak and the stupid ... I know its illegal but kudos to these guys for knowing how to make an easy buck.

[taxcontrol]

Now I can just see a political hactivist sending out emails saying that the Kerry campaign is only accepting donations in person and that you should not donate over the Internet due to scams like this.

- and then tell them to take their donations in person to the nearest campaign headquarters.

[upchuck]

LOL!!! And I mean that sincerely. That's the funniest comment I've seen in a long time.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, UC, I must admit that I got a chuckle out of my own creation, and am very glad you did too!