Remove “ATM Card” scam email

The “ATM Card” scam email refers to a specific scam email that claims you will receive an ATM card with $3,750,000 in it. It goes without saying that the email’s contents are completely false, and this is just a method of tricking users into revealing their personal information. In some cases, the intent may be to steal users’ money. The email is not particularly convincing, as it claims the ATM card is a sort of appreciation gift for the help recipients have supposedly provided as a business partner.

 

 

These scams typically claim that recipients have won or inherited an enormous sum of money, often several million. The emails encourage users to engage with the sender and provide personal information when requested. The scammers aim to build a relationship with their targets to increase the likelihood of success. Once a connection is established, the scammers usually request money under various pretenses, such as proving that a bank account is active or addressing unforeseen complications. If the scammers perceive the victim as especially gullible, they may demand money multiple times before disappearing.

The “ATM Card” spam email is a modern iteration of an old scam, specifically the “Spanish Prisoner” scam from the late 18th century. In that scam, scammers claimed they were working to free wealthy prisoners held in Spanish jails. They solicited funds from victims, purportedly to bribe guards, with promises of significant rewards in return. Needless to say, the victims never received anything in return.

The sender of this particular “ATM Card” spam email claims to be someone called Precious Mpho, and they explain that they’re a business partner of yours. According to the email, you and the sender were working on a multi-million-dollar business, and it’s finally been concluded. Supposedly, money could not be transferred to your bank account due to “one reason or the other”, and to make sure that you get the money, the sender claims to have left an ATM card for you with $3,750,000 in it. For the ATM card to be delivered to you, you are asked to contact someone called Lawrence Mensa.

The full “ATM Card” spam email is below:

Subject: For your past effort.

Hello good friend,

Good day and how are you today? I hope all is well with you and your family? I am using this opportunity to inform you that the multi million-dollar business that we both are working on before has been finally concluded with the assistance of another partner from Iceland who financed the transaction to a logical conclusion. The fund wasn’t transferred into your account due to one reason or the other. And for my kind gesture I have left an ATM Card for you worth $3,750.000 USD ( three Million Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand United States Dollars Only) To show my appreciation for your pass assistance. I must confess, you are truly a humble and a sincere person.

However, I will gladly appreciate and happier wherever I am to hear that you have received your ATM Card; It will be a great honor to me because you deserve it. and do to my new business establishment with my new partner in Iceland I will be very busy for a very long time. Kindly contact him now Rev Lawrence Mensa With the below information to enable him to negotiate with the courier company for the delivery of your ATM Card to you,

Contact person: Rev Lawrence Mensa Email: lawmensa@aliyun.com

Therefore you should send him your full Name and telephone number/your correct mailing address where you want him to send the ATM card to you. This information is what will enable him to deliver the ATM Card to you. as I have left instructions on your behalf.

Thanks for your pass effort and God bless you and your family.

Hoping to hear from you.

Regards,
Mrs. Precious Mpho

When recipients respond to these emails, they are asked to provide personal details such as their full name, home address, and phone number. Scammers typically attempt to establish a relationship with the recipients, gradually requesting more sensitive information as communication continues. They work to build trust, making recipients more vulnerable to manipulation. Once trust is established, scammers eventually request money, often providing vague reasons. However, due to the trust built, victims may not necessarily question these requests.

If scammers are able to phish the personal information, they may use it themselves or sell it on dark web forums for use by other cybercriminals. Sensitive data, including full names, home addresses, and phone numbers, is highly valuable as it enables more sophisticated scams. Scammers can be particularly convincing when they address targets by name or reference personal details. If credit card information is acquired, it can result in unauthorized purchases and transactions.

It is important to remain cautious and recognize that emails offering money are always fraudulent. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it likely is. The “ATM Card” emails lack credibility and are designed to deceive. Such scams often target older individuals who may be less familiar with these types of schemes.

Why did you receive a scam email?

People who receive scam emails often wonder why they were targeted. While some scammers may reach out to random users, it’s more common for cybercriminals to buy leaked email addresses from hacker forums and then use them for malicious spam campaigns. This usually happens because of insufficient security measures taken by various services, leading to leaks. To check if their email has been involved in a data breach, users can visit haveibeenpwned. It’s worth noting that personal information, beyond just email addresses, can also be exposed. Although there’s not much that can be done once personal data is compromised, users can remain vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited emails, phone calls, or other types of communication.