One common feature of most Nigerian scam emails is the lack of sophistication. They are fraught with grammatical errors and typos. The perpetrators of these scam emails are usually not very educated.

Their lack of sophistication is a good thing. It makes us spot a scam email easily from afar. Many of us have survived thus far because of this.

However, we are witnessing a new crop of “scammers” that are more technologically savvy and much more sophisticated. Grammar is no longer an issue and they are extremely good in writing malicious scripts (softwares).

All hope is not lost though.

Let’s review a scam email that was sent to me earlier this week. We will try to point out the red flags to look out for. With this, we can keep ourselves educated.

My comments in Bold Red.

From: GTBank <[email protected]>  Sender’s email address is not from gtbank.com domain. Even if it is, it could be faked by a technique called EMAIL SPOOFING.
Date: Mon, Apr 04, 2016 at 9:22 PM
Subject: Customer Update Alert
To: <*******@yahoo.com> The scammer was smart enough to send the mail to me directly and not BCC. But this email is not associated with any of my bank accounts!

 

Dear customer GTBank sends out personalised emails, with your name in full.

Guaranty Trust Bank eLectronic Notification Service (GeNS)

We wish to inform you that your account with us is due for an update.

Kindly login and update your details:

https:/www.gtbank/ibank3/customer-update/ This hyperlink masks the malicious site I was expected to click on. The URL was further masked using a URL shortening service. However, the link will lead you to BerryLaneDesigns.com where a cloned version of GTBank internet banking site is hosted. 

Please update within 24 Hours of notice to avoid Service Interuption/Suspension.

Thank you for choosing Guaranty Trust Bank plc

“Your Internet Banking user ID and password, ATM card number and PIN are confidential and should never be disclosed to anyone”. Kindly log on to our website www.gtbank.com hyperlink leads to a cloned gtbank internet banking site hosted on BerryLaneDesigns.com  OR Call GTConnect on 0700 GTConnect (0809 7393494), 01 328 0000, for more information. NB: Our notification service sent this mail to you using a default setting and the information you supplied to us when your account was opened. If you wish to Iimit the type of mails you receive or the email address(es) in use, please send an email to us by clicking on the link below: Send a Mail to Guaranty Trust Bank eLectronic Notification Service (GeNS)