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Ever received an email that seemed too good to be true? Perhaps an offer that promised heaps of cash for minimal work, or an opportunity that seemed to fall into your lap out of nowhere? Chances are, you've encountered a scammer. Let's dive into the anatomy of a scam email and learn how to protect ourselves from these digital tricksters.
The Red Flags of a Scam Email
Imagine you open your inbox one morning and find a message like this:
Subject: Exciting Business Opportunity with Daya Jewelry!
Hello Anahit,
Wishing you a pleasant and happy morning!
Daya Jewelry was born from a journey across India, where we were inspired by the beauty of traditional craftsmanship. During our trip, we met an artist originally from Pushkar and saw an opportunity to make a difference.
We are determined to create a business that benefits communities in need, while empowering and healing our customers with jewelry that incorporates healing crystals and sacred symbols.
Spread kindness and compassion through jewelry.
Website: daya-jewelry.com
Our marketing campaign on social media platforms will focus on this market and will start from August 1, 2024 and last for 1 year. With an expected monthly budget of approximately 7,000 USD (adjusted each time) with the expectation of achieving the following results:
- Click-through rate (CTR): Increase about 1-1.2%
- Conversion rate: Desired goal: 2% - 3%
- Cost per acquisition (CPA): Desired price: $10-$30
- Return on advertising spend (ROAS): 2:1 - 3:1
- Lead generation cost: Desired cost per lead is: $5 - $25
- Bounce rate: 26% - 40%
To help you better understand our budget and products. I will send it to you below, please see the full version using password: daya
Download Campaign Summary (link)
We will pay you in 2 forms:
- Fixed monthly: $4000-$8000 + KPI bonus (advance will be available after we agree to sign the contract).
- 15% of total annual budget or 10-15% for each completed order.
(All payments will be made via PayPal or other government-approved payment platforms)
We should have had a short conversation to introduce your company and ours. However, due to time constraints, we would like to skip some steps. Please discuss with your marketing team to prepare an optimized plan for the budget we have given. I think this plan is the most accurate and clear introduction for you.
After receiving your application, we will review and respond within 1 to 2 days. If your plan is suitable, we will proactively contact you.
Best regards,
Why This Email is a Scam
1. Too Good to Be True: High payments and easy money are classic bait. The promise of $4000-$8000 monthly for minimal work is a huge red flag. Usually it follows a more general email inquiring about product or service a company or professional might assist with. For example:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
On 2024-07-11 17:07, +374 488-898 wrote:
Name: Emilia Moore
Telephone: +374(07) 488-898
Email: emilia@daya-jewelryz.com
Website: https://daya-jewelry.com/
Message:
We need your support for PPC services in this market. Please
contact via email: emilia@daya-jewelryz.com and Skype: +447360543399
------------------------------------------------------------
2. Urgency and Pressure: Scammers often push for quick decisions. Here, they ask for an immediate response and quick plan formulation.
3. Unsolicited Attachments/Links: The email includes a Dropbox link to download a file using a password. This is a common way to deliver malware or phishing attempts.
4. Generic Content: The email is filled with generic language and lacks specific details about the recipient or their business. Real business offers are usually personalized.
5. Inconsistent Contact Information: Legitimate companies provide verifiable contact details. This email has none.
Protecting Yourself from Scammers
- Verify the Source: Always research the company independently. Look for official websites and contact information.
- Don’t Click Links or Download Files: Avoid clicking on unsolicited links or downloading files from unknown senders.
- Be Skeptical of High Rewards: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts.
- Look for Red Flags: Check for poor grammar, generic content, and urgent demands. These are common in scam emails. However recently with the development of AI, the grammar becomes less and less of an indicator.
Stay Safe, Stay Informed
Scammers are getting more sophisticated, but with a bit of vigilance and skepticism, you can outsmart them. Always double-check offers and think twice before acting on unsolicited emails. Stay safe and keep your inbox scam-free!
Kitboga
Many people now recognize scammer patterns and stop responding to them.
But some tech savvy people choose to teach scammers a lesson. This was the case with an internet personality Kitboga.
Kitboga’s grandmother fell victim to scammers. She got an email that her account was successfully charged and if it wasn’t her to contact company, as she did and called directly to scammers as the emal was from them. Then scammers pretend to reimburse their victim more money than victims supposedly spent for an unwanted purchase and then ask the victim send the difference back to the “company” via Google Cards. Sometimes its thousands of dollars.
Watch how Kitboga pretends to be an elderly trusting woman and exposes an angry scammer. Its really entertaining to watch:
By recognizing these warning signs, you can avoid falling victim to scam emails. Have you encountered a scam email recently? Share your experience in the comments and let’s help each other stay informed!
P.S. You can read about other online treats here:
l DDoS attack,
l
XSS attack,
l Coupondo,
l Clickjacking:
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