You're Not Scamming This Naugatuck Police Officer

Written by Naugatuck Police Lt. Bryan Cammarata,

ACTUAL EMAIL RECEIVED BY ME - LT BRYAN CAMMARATA ON MY PERSONAL EMAIL ACCOUNT....

I wanted to share this fraudulent phishing email with all of you ... I have broken down this email to show how ridiculous they are (along with a small dose of my sarcasm... and wit...) -
... So, I received this email yesterday from:

"johmak2@emaildodo.com"
(* This by the way is the FIRST clue this is a scam ... "email dodo" ..., really ...."dodo"... Would you give your ANY of your money to anything named "dodo" ??)

Dear Sir/Madam,
*(Madam ... ??? - This is sign #2 ... The fact that he doesn't know I'm a male ... And if I were a female, calling me "Madam" is not the best way to win me over ... This writer surely doesn't realize that Americas relate the term "Madam" to be the head prostitute of a brothel ... If this happens to be your profession - guess you can refer back to my first point of him not knowing for sure if you were a male or head prostitute...)
"My name is Mr. John Mark, a Banker from Togo West Africa."

(* Okay - Sign #3 .... A Banker from Togo West Africa? ... If you are like me, I typically can't get my own banker on the phone at my local branch without going through 5 hours of prompts and 15 hours of holds... But THE banker from Togo West Africa is reaching out to ME??? ... Besides ... Is there ACTUALLY a such place? ... ... Actually there is ... I just googled it ... Guess you learn something new everyday ...) "I have a fund in which I want you to help in receiving it in your bank account."

(*Scam Sign #4... What does this mean? ... "I want you to help in receiving it in your bank account" ... I'm no English Major .., but I'm pretty sure this makes no sense... If you are even considering this proposal, you have to really ask yourself - Why would a banker... With poor grammar... In Togo West Africa ... Need MY help in receiving money in my account? ... )

"The total amount is ($7.5million). The fund belongs to one of our customer an a Politician from Nigeria. You will stand as his business partner."

(Scam Sign #5 - ... "$7.5 million" .... That belongs to one of his "customers" ...a "Nigerian Politician" none the-less??? ...

... I have to say that it boggles my mind how people fall for these ... I mean breaking it down - all the warning signs and alarms, bells, whistles, flashing lights are all going off by now ... Wouldn't you say ... A "Nigerian Politician" .... With "$7.5 million" ... Really?? ... I'm worried I've been put on the "No fly list" just READING this...)

"If you can handle the transaction you get back to me so that i will send you more information. The transaction required top secret and confidential for security reason. If you cannot be able to handle the transaction do not reply back and please delete the mail in your system."

(*Scam Sign #6 - Alright, so it you haven't bailed out by now ... I guess the end sell is to come right out and TELL YOU that you are now essentially an international infiltrator if you take part in this transaction.... It's "Top Secret" AND "Confidential" .... Pretty sure they mean the same thing ... But what it's really saying is;
"listen fool, don't tell anyone about this as they will surely see it's a scam and try to talk you out of it" ... "Top Secret and Confidential" .... Gotta love it!!)
"Regards,

John Mark"

(* Scam Sign #7 - It may just be me but I'm universally skeptical of any West African named "John Mark" ... I"m equally skeptical of anyone using the term "regards".... )

So - what did we learn here folks?? ... Well hopefully we learned that these emails are lures that try to get you to fall for the illusion that you are going to get something for nothing ...

Remember, it's not a good idea to cash a check for anyone, much less a stranger. While it is possible to cash a check at a bank as a non customer, there is still a fee- which is often less than $10 ... So it does not make much sense for someone else to offer to pay a high incentive to do this "favor" for them... Unless of course they have ulterior motives...

If you receive these offers, simply delete them - and never open attachments as they are often filled with viruses. Use common sense and know that you will likely never receive something for nothing ... Unless of course it is advice from the NPD!!!

Thanks for reading and have a safe and happy weekend!
Lt. Bryan Cammarata