Phish for a Day
A buddy of mine is a IT manager and got “phished” via Yahoo Instant Message this morning. He decided to play the role of a 72-year-old widower and see how long he could string the phisher — a “canadian based in nigeria” — out, and maybe get our police department involved:
My friend logged the session, and it is an interesting look at how earnestly somebody can try to run a scam and still be such a terrible speller. And I just love how my friend “Peter” really drew the guy out.
Enjoy the transcript:
Session Start (—-ME—-:law_tucker): Tue Mar 22 07:43:07 2005
[07:43] law_tucker: hello
[07:43] law_tucker: how are you?
[09:46] law_tucker: can i trust you in keeping the sum of $9m Usd under your care for safe keeping and investment?
[10:55] —-ME—-: Sure thing.
[10:55] —-ME—-: Send it right over man!
[10:55] law_tucker: name please?
[10:55] —-ME—-: 9 million?
[10:56] law_tucker: name please?
[10:56] law_tucker: what your name?
[10:56] —-ME—-: Y?
[10:56] law_tucker: bye
[10:56] law_tucker: ok
[10:56] —-ME—-: Huh?
[10:56] —-ME—-: You are not making sense?
[10:56] —-ME—-: I don’t just give my name out to total strangers.
[10:57] law_tucker: ok
[10:57] law_tucker: my name is lawrence tucker
[10:57] law_tucker: you?
[10:57] —-ME—-: Now why did you contact me and what type of deal do you have?
[10:58] —-ME—-: I mean…my name is just not something I give out that easy. Know what I mean?
[10:58] law_tucker: what is your nsme first
[10:58] law_tucker: but i did
[10:59] —-ME—-: And there’s no way for me to know if you are trustworthy or not. I’m kind of new to this whole Messaging/Computer thing.
[10:59] —-ME—-: I was warned by my friend to be carefull.
[10:59] law_tucker: on what?
[10:59] —-ME—-: With trusting strangers on the Internet and with this yahoo thingy.
[11:00] law_tucker: HOW OLD ARE YOU
[11:00] —-ME—-: Got me all scared…thinking thay everyone is out to get me.
[11:00] law_tucker: ?
[11:00] —-ME—-: I guess I can tell you that I’m 72.
[11:01] law_tucker: ok
[11:01] law_tucker: my name is lawrence tucker
[11:01] law_tucker: a canadian based in nigeria
[11:01] law_tucker: i work fot the gov
[11:01] law_tucker: you?
[11:02] —-ME—-: Retired widower.
[11:02] law_tucker: YOU MALE OR FEMALE
[11:03] —-ME—-: Oh darn…can you wait a minute…
[11:03] —-ME—-: The phone.
[11:03] law_tucker: OK
[11:05] —-ME—-: I hate telemarketers.
[11:05] —-ME—-: I already get the newspaper.
[11:06] law_tucker: ok
[11:06] —-ME—-: Where are you then? Nigeria?
[11:06] law_tucker: yes
[11:06] law_tucker: are you male or female?
[11:06] —-ME—-: I have never left the state of Alabama in my life.
[11:06] —-ME—-: Male.
[11:06] law_tucker: OK
[11:07] law_tucker: so what your name?
[11:07] —-ME—-: Pete
[11:07] —-ME—-: Peter
[11:07] law_tucker: ok
[11:07] law_tucker: Peter can i really trust you?
[11:08] —-ME—-: Well…you contacted me first, can I really trust you?
[11:09] law_tucker: yes
[11:09] law_tucker: you see peter this money happens to be an over payed invoice
[11:09] law_tucker: i work for the ministry of works and housing as an accountant
[11:09] law_tucker: ok
[11:10] —-ME—-: OK
[11:10] —-ME—-: How did you find my name?
[11:10] —-ME—-: I mean how did you find my name on the yahoo thing?
[11:10] law_tucker: i need you to assist me in cliaming this funds into your account and get 20 % of the total sum
[11:11] law_tucker: you see i was ask by my lawyer to get someone outside nigeria who can assist me in cliaming this funds
[11:11] —-ME—-: What is the total of money?
[11:11] law_tucker: $9m Usd
[11:12] —-ME—-: Good grief that is a lot of money.
[11:12] law_tucker: SURE
[11:12] law_tucker: also i want you to know it is 100% risk free
[11:12] —-ME—-: how did you find my name on the yahoo thingy…I though it was supposed to be private.
[11:13] —-ME—-: I’ve always lived by the rule “If it sounds too good to be true it probably is”…this sounds too good to be true.
[11:13] law_tucker: YES
[11:13] —-ME—-: I NEED the money.
[11:13] law_tucker: this is for real
[11:13] law_tucker: you are talking to a man of like you
[11:13] —-ME—-: how did you get my yahoo name
[11:14] law_tucker: who life depends on that money
[11:14] law_tucker: i got it from the yahoo list
[11:14] —-ME—-: ok
[11:14] law_tucker: abnd i had belive in you
[11:15] —-ME—-: I want to believe you too…my house needs a new roof, I don’t think I can make my house payments any more.
[11:15] law_tucker: GOOD
[11:15] —-ME—-: I don’t have enough money to live on.
[11:15] law_tucker: i promise you with all my hearth
[11:16] law_tucker: this is a great chance
[11:16] law_tucker: you married?
[11:16] —-ME—-: No, my wife just died 2 months ago.
[11:17] law_tucker: VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT
[11:17] law_tucker: i am really sorry
[11:18] law_tucker: i also lost my wife and kids here in nigeria
[11:18] law_tucker: about 2year ago
[11:18] —-ME—-: Thank you…she was incredible. We spent all our money trying to keep her alive. I do not have a whole lot left.
[11:18] law_tucker: and i lost my dad and mum about 9 year ago
[11:18] —-ME—-: Wow.
[11:19] —-ME—-: You are alone now? How did your wife and kids pass?
[11:19] —-ME—-: My wife died of cancer.
[11:19] law_tucker: car accident
[11:20] —-ME—-: Oh my.
[11:20] —-ME—-: I still don’t know about trusting you.
[11:21] —-ME—-: Is there someone I can call or write to to verify who you are?
[11:21] law_tucker: please let live that part of my life
[11:21] law_tucker: yes
[11:21] law_tucker: you can call the best lawyer we have in nigeria
[11:21] law_tucker: who is my lawyer
[11:22] law_tucker: BUT I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH
[11:22] law_tucker: ok
[11:22] —-ME—-: OK
[11:22] law_tucker: we are both geting something from this
[11:22] —-ME—-: My soup is warm…I will be right back.
[11:23] law_tucker: ok
[11:30] —-ME—-: Chicken noodle soup…that was good.
[11:31] law_tucker: good
[11:31] —-ME—-: What is the number for your lawyer?
[11:31] law_tucker: +2348023366185
[11:33] law_tucker: did you get it?
[11:34] law_tucker: HELLO
[11:34] law_tucker: have you called him?
[11:35] law_tucker: please do mind the way you talk to him
[11:35] law_tucker: ok
[11:35] law_tucker: he is a very respacted man here in nigeria
[11:35] —-ME—-: I will.
[11:35] law_tucker: and he is the only person who can make thing work out well
[11:35] law_tucker: ok
[11:37] —-ME—-: I don’t know how much it will cost me to call Nigeria though.
[11:37] law_tucker: can’t tell
[11:37] —-ME—-: Will he be awake now? I think it is late evening there.
[11:37] —-ME—-: Or would it be morning?
[11:38] —-ME—-: Oh - you are there…what time is it there now?
[11:38] law_tucker: it is about 5:pm
[11:38] law_tucker: 5pm
[11:38] law_tucker: you can call him
[11:38] law_tucker: ok
[11:42] —-ME—-: How quickly do you have to do this money?
[11:42] law_tucker: as soon you you act
[11:43] —-ME—-: Should I call my friend and ask for his advice?
[11:44] law_tucker: please i do not want anything to happen to this funds
[11:44] law_tucker: we are talking about money here
[11:44] law_tucker: please i hope you understand me
[11:44] law_tucker: i can’t tell anybody about this apart from my lawyer
[11:45] —-ME—-: I can not call an international number on my cell phone.
[11:45] —-ME—-: Can he call me?
[11:45] law_tucker: why can’t you?
[11:46] —-ME—-: I do not have a home phone…only my cell phone.
[11:46] —-ME—-: I dont’ know…I tried calling on my cell phone and it di not work.
[11:46] law_tucker: why can’t that call
[11:46] law_tucker: did you add +
[11:47] —-ME—-: + I don’t know what you mean by “plus”?
[11:47] law_tucker: you mean you dont have plus botton on your cell phone
[11:47] —-ME—-: no
[11:48] —-ME—-: I have numbers and a star and a number and talk and end
[11:48] —-ME—-: and web and back and ok
[11:48] law_tucker: ok tyr this way
[11:48] law_tucker: push the star hard
[11:48] —-ME—-: it asks me for “voice command”
[11:49] law_tucker: ok
[11:49] law_tucker: try this way
[11:49] —-ME—-: darn…I want to call your lawyer
[11:49] —-ME—-: ok
[11:49] law_tucker: 0092348023366185
[11:50] law_tucker: 0092348023366185
[11:50] —-ME—-: Darn phone.
[11:50] law_tucker: still can’t
[11:50] —-ME—-: What is your lawyer name?
[11:51] law_tucker: barrister tunde daniels
[11:51] —-ME—-: I am sorry, I’m scared and excited for the money and I am not paying attention to my typing.
[11:51] law_tucker: how do you mean?
[11:52] —-ME—-: I keep misspelling words.
[11:52] law_tucker: HOW OLD ARE YOU?
[11:52] —-ME—-: Can Tunde call me? Or can he send me some documents in email?
[11:53] —-ME—-: I want to believe you, but it is hard to trust a complete stranger this way.
[11:53] law_tucker: you see he is the only person that can get this funds out
[11:53] law_tucker: you have to contact him
[11:54] —-ME—-: Seeing someone face to face is one thing…but when you’ve never met someone that is different.
[11:54] law_tucker: so he will know you are willing to assist me
[11:54] law_tucker: ok
[11:54] law_tucker: you can also send him a mail
[11:54] —-ME—-: Does he have official documents he can send me?
[11:54] —-ME—-: OK
[11:54] —-ME—-: —-ME—-@yahoo.com
[11:54] law_tucker: yes he should
[11:54] law_tucker: he is a very respected man here in nigeria
[11:54] law_tucker: ok
[11:54] law_tucker: you have to write him
[11:55] law_tucker: his email address is : barristertunde_daniels@yahoo.com
[11:55] law_tucker: ok
[11:55] law_tucker: you write him and let him know you are willing to assist me
[11:55] law_tucker: ok
[11:57] law_tucker: you there?
[11:57] law_tucker: did you get it?
[11:59] law_tucker: hello
[11:59] law_tucker: you there?
[11:59] law_tucker:
[11:59] —-ME—-: i am on the phone
[11:59] law_tucker: did you get it?
[11:59] *** (Link: yahoo://0:yahoo-profile:law_tucker)law_tucker has added you to their contact list. You may choose to (Link: yahoo://0:yahoo-accept:law_tucker)accept or (Link: yahoo://0:yahoo-deny:law_tucker)deny this action. You may also (Link: yahoo://0:yahoo-add:law_tucker)add this user to your contact list or (Link: yahoo://0:yahoo-ignore:law_tucker)ignore this user.
[11:59] law_tucker: ok
[11:59] law_tucker: with him
[11:59] *** You have been successfully added to law_tucker’s contact list.
[12:00] law_tucker: with my lawyer?
[12:00] *** “law_tucker” signed on at Tue Mar 22 12:00:08 2005.
[12:00] —-ME—-: no
[12:00] —-ME—-: my son
[12:00] law_tucker: who?
[12:00] law_tucker: ok
[12:00] law_tucker: how old are you?
[12:00] —-ME—-: I did not tell him about the money…that would be a great surprise for him.
[12:00] law_tucker: for sure
[12:00] —-ME—-: How many times are you going to ask me how old I am?
[12:00] —-ME—-: I am 72.
[12:01] law_tucker: ok
[12:01] —-ME—-: My son is 43.
[12:01] law_tucker: did you get the eamil address
[12:01] —-ME—-: Yes.
[12:01] —-ME—-: I will send an email in about 10 minutes.
[12:01] law_tucker: ok
[12:01] —-ME—-: I have to let the dog out.
[12:01] law_tucker: ok
[12:01] law_tucker: i have to go now
[12:01] —-ME—-: Oh
[12:02] law_tucker: i will call him and ask him to get back to you
[12:02] law_tucker: ok
[12:02] —-ME—-: How will I finish this business?
[12:02] law_tucker: what is your phone number
[12:02] law_tucker: he will tell you all you have to do
[12:02] —-ME—-: (***) ***-****
[12:02] law_tucker: he is the only person that can get this funds out
[12:02] law_tucker: ok
[12:02] law_tucker: what is the area code
[12:02] —-ME—-: Will he call me then or do I need to email him?
[12:03] —-ME—-: Oh…that is my son’s area code.
[12:03] law_tucker: you have to mail him
[12:03] —-ME—-: OK I will email him.
[12:03] —-ME—-: I must take the dog out now.
[12:03] law_tucker: ok
[12:03] law_tucker: have a blessed day
[12:03] —-ME—-: Thank you for picking me…
[12:03] law_tucker: i will be back soon
[12:03] law_tucker: welcome
[12:04] —-ME—-: When I get the money I must visit you.
[12:04] law_tucker: i will come over and get my share
[12:04] law_tucker: as soon as you have it in your account
[12:04] —-ME—-: We will have a very big party.
[12:04] law_tucker: yes
[12:04] law_tucker: from my share i will buy your son an hummer truck
[12:04] law_tucker: hope that is good
[12:05] —-ME—-: wow…you are very generous.
[12:05] law_tucker: thanks
[12:05] law_tucker: have to go now
[12:05] —-ME—-: After I send the email…you will contact me again?
[12:06] law_tucker: yes
[12:06] —-ME—-: Thank you again. I don’t know if I can trust you yet, but I will send the email.
[12:07] law_tucker: how do you mean?
[12:07] law_tucker: we are talking about $9m Usd here
[12:07] law_tucker: that not small money
[12:07] law_tucker: please do keep this to your self
[12:07] law_tucker: we are talking about money here
[12:07] law_tucker: ok
[12:08] —-ME—-: Yes I know. But it sounds too good to be true. I will see what your barrister has to say.
[12:08] —-ME—-: I will definitely keep it quiet. I don’t want to share with anyone else.
[12:08] law_tucker: good
[12:08] law_tucker: bye for now
[12:08] law_tucker: ok
[12:09] —-ME—-: OK
[12:09] law_tucker: take care of your self
[12:09] law_tucker: friend
[12:09] law_tucker: peter
[12:09] —-ME—-: Yes, you too.
[12:09] law_tucker: bye tucker
[12:11] *** “law_tucker” signed off at Tue Mar 22 12:11:39 2005.
