Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Pandemic Scam: Fake Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Emails

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Mar 27, 2020 2020-03-27T16:45:16-05:00
May 6, 2020 2020-05-06T23:54:30-05:00

Pandemic Scam Fake Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 Emails

Online scammers are taking advantage of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic by sending out fake awareness or donation emails like the one below. The fake emails ask recipients to click on a link that goes a fake or cloned WHO (World Health Organization) website. But, on the fake website, visitors will be asked to enter their email account credentials. But, if they do, their email account credentials will be sent to the cybercriminals behind the fake emails.

Also, scammers are sending out messages claiming recipients were selected to receive a grant or donation from the World Health Organization (WHO). The scammers ask their potential victims to send money, which they claim is for taxes or fees, in order to receive their so-called grant or money. But, if the money is sent, the victims will never receive the money they were promised.

A Fake COVID-19 Email

WHO Corona virus Awareness
Wed 2/5/2020 8:52 AM
From: medicasupport@who.com
Dear Sir,
Go through the attached document on safety measures regarding the spreading of corona virus.
Click on the button below to download
Safety measures
Symptoms common symptoms include fever,coughcshortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Regards,
Dr. ##UNAME##
Specialist wuhan-virus-advisory

Althought the fake email appears as if it came from WHO, it was actually spoofed and sent from another email address being used by the cybercriminals. And, the link in the fake email goes to the following fake WHO website created by the cybercriminals:

Once the cybercriminals have received the stolen credentials, they will use it to gain access to their potential victims' accounts, hijack and use them fraudulently. Therefore, online users who have been tricked by the fake WHO email are asked to change their account passwords before their accounts are hijacked.

It is recommended that online users go directly to The World Health Organization's website at https://www.who.int/ for information about the Novel Coronavirus(2019-nCoV), instead of clicking on a link in an email, which may be a link to a phishing website that steals personal information and account credentials.

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Comments 11

Jun 8, 2020 at 8:49 PM by info

"From: Maria del Pilar Schreiber Bisso
Date: June 7, 2020 at 7:46:54 AM MST
Subject: UNDF CASH DONATION (COVID-19)

UNDF CASH DONATION (COVID-19)

Hello Sir/Madam,

We are pleased to notify you that you have been officially chosen by the Board of The United Nation Development Fund(UNDF) as one of the recipients of the sum of £2,700,000.00 (two million, Seven hundred thousand Pound Sterling's) to you as part of the Grant/Donation for Economic Growth and Poverty Alleviation Scheme.

Contact attorney for more Details

Name: Dr.Filip Dominik

Email : dr.filipdominikk-aol.com

Best Regards

Dr. Maimunah Mohd Sharif

Head.UNHSP

UNHSP (2020)

unhabitat.org."

Here is another scam.

May 30, 2020 at 11:07 PM by info

"From: Mr Peter Benson
Date: May 29, 2020 at 3:47:08 PM MST
Subject: Attention this is from UN board
Reply-To: Mr Peter Benson

Attention dear this is Mr Peter Benson your payment officer from UN I am contacting you regarding your corona virus lock down compensation fund and the UN board has pay for the delivery fee as the sender and the only delay right now is just the $25 which will be use for the stamping fee and that is the only delay now so without wasting time you are to send the fee.

You’re hereby advise to provide your correct or current contact information as listed below
FULL NAMES...
CONTACT ADDRESS...
COUNTRY...
AGE...
S*X...
MOBILE NUMBER...

Please you can contact me back on my email by clicking your Reply and Remember to stay safe.
Regards
Mr Peter Benson
Homeland Security US Department
Office Address: 300 7th St SW,
Washington, DC 20024, United States
Text message number 231-642-4443"

Here is another scam.

May 7, 2020 at 2:53 PM by info

"From: Frances and Patrick Connolly
Date: Thu, May 7, 2020, 1:44 AM
Subject: Re: Hello Michelle Antioquia,

Hello Michelle Antioquia,
Your email address was among the emails that was submitted to us for our Covid-19 charity project, so if you have received our mail know that you are one of the lucky individual.

We have duly processed your file and forward to our Barrister for payment.We have authorized our Barrister who is now also our legal adviser to issue you an international Certified Bank Cheque cash-able at any Bank in your Country.or Wire Transfer to your Bank account but you have to follow his instruction's.

Please, I want you to contact our Barrister for the collection of this international Certified Bank Cheque or wire transfer immediately without delay.

The name and contact address of our Barrister is as follows.

Name:Barrister Lee Surasat.

Fidelity Lee Chambers and Associates.

26TH Floor Gloss Tower,Silom Soi 75.

Bangrak 10500 .Bangkok, Thailand.

Office D: 66990171548

Email: barr.leesu19-gmail.com

You are promptly advised to contact the Barrister immediately for the claim of your $550,000.00 USD, The Barrister will advice and instruct you on how to receive your Certified Bank Cheque or wire transfer.

We will be traveling to Bahamas for an investment project and may not be responding to emails.Please keep us informed as soon as you have cash your funds we will reply once we are back.Attached is your winning certificate forward it to the Barrister too.

Note: You have to keep this highly confidential until you receive your cheque,

Best Regards,

Frances and Patrick Connolly."

Another scam.

Apr 25, 2020 at 12:24 PM by info

"YOUR COVID-19 ISOLATION/SUPPORT FUND RELEASE NOTIFICATION)
Sat 4/25/2020 3:51 AM
From: "World Health Organization & United nations"

Dear Beneficiary,

Based on The outbreak of COVID-19 which has been declared an emergency in all Country and continues to spread around the globe. The pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on people and communities across the country, and people need help.

Following the approval of YOUR COVID-19 ISOLATION/SUPPORT FUND which was attached to your Email with Ref/File NO:(UN/WHO/CORONAVIRUS-2020-SUPPORT/RG641) from The "United Nations(UN)" in Conjunction with "World Health Organization (W.H.O)" to support Citizens World Wide in surviving and fighting the issue of Corona-virus (COVID-19) which have taking lives, reducing movement in different countries and affecting their economy thus making a lot of citizens to be jobless and increasing the rate of Crime.

To receive Your COVID-19 SUPPORT/ISOLATION FUND valued at One Million United States Dollar ($1,000,000.00) from U.N and W.H.O. You are to forward Your Full Name and reference number as your subject STRICTLY TO OUR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE VIA EMAIL: INFO-LPDLAWFIRM.COM and Upon confirmation and Verification of Your details Your fund will be delivered to you without charges as all expenses have been taking care of by the governing body of the UN and W.H.O.

Remember that you are not to expose your Ref/File Number to any one as we will never reveal your personal data to a Third Party.

All you have to do is to forward Your Reference number (Ref/File NO:(UN/WHO/CORONAVIRUS-2020-SUPPORT/RG641) as your subject STRICTLY TO OUR LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE VIA EMAIL: INFO-LPDLAWFIRM.COM

Your Sincerely,
COVID-19 SUPPORT/ISOLATION TEAM."

Here is another scam.

Apr 15, 2020 at 12:43 AM by info

"COVID-19 INTERVENTION/ DONATION FUND
Tue 4/14/2020 6:56 PM
From: GREG SANCH charlestagboo-yahoo.com

My client, a Petroleum Project Development Engineer, with ExxonMobil West African Regional Office, and your Country’s Citizen/National who has stayed behind as a result of the menace of COVID-19 Pandemic, and in collaboration with a Non profit organisation[NGO] decided to reach out to as many people as possible to provide palliatives, prevention, cure and provision of basic physiological needs to the worst hit victims in the country while we await improvements in all front against the fight against COVID-19.

He directed my office, which inter alia,is the private legal/notary public firm to the philantropist over years now to Act on his behalf in reaching persons/agencies in your country that will oversee, manage and return an account back on funds utilisation.

The sum of Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD$6.5M), is currently voted for this excersise while we await donations from other affliate persons/NGOs who have shown sound interests in this excersise.

I am sincerely soliciting for your voluntary, candid Support/Assistance to help us to channel this funds which will come in two tranches to the victims or appropriate agencies that will enhance same dream, while we make arrangements on how new donations/aids from affliate donors are disbursed as they are received. You are entitled to $500,000 on each tranch of the transfers until fully disbursed.

You think you fit in to this novel excersise, you are required to furnish us with the following immediately,(a) Your Full Names and Contact Address, (b) Mobile Numbers (c) Your Occupation (d) company name/place of work.
You will be provided with other briefs/terms and conditions of service in this excersise on reply.

Thanking you for your anticipated cooperation.

Yours faithfully,
GREG SANCH Esq,
ATTORNEY/NOTARY PUBLIC."

Another scam

Apr 4, 2020 at 1:12 AM by info

"UPDATE: Corona Virus (COVID-19) #42451

Sat 4/4/2020 1:00 AM

From: "ANGLO-AMERICAN CHARITY LIMITED" - camilla.coleman-datamarketics.com

THIS MESSAGE IS FROM ANGLO-AMERICAN CHARITY LIMITED.

It's an honor to inform you about the ongoing global donation to fight the Corona virus (COVID-19) World-wide.

Please we need your support/donation to fight the war against Corona Virus (COVID-19), people are dying every day. Please your support/donation is highly needed.

Find below ANGLO AMERICAN CHARITY LIMITED BITCOIN WALLET ADDRESS:

( 1P1XJrBKiJMhZgkKdbKGpxow1KcCNziS6q )

As it only remains the only fastest and recommended means to get your donation/support reach out to us. People in Italy, Spain, France, UK, America e.t.c, is urgently in need of your support.

Thanks for your cooperation/support.

Director,

Katherine Hedges.

THE ANGLO-AMERICAN CHARITY LIMITED

10 Norwich St, Holborn,

London EC4A 1BD, United Kingdom."

Here is another scam.