TheOtherMe
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Post by TheOtherMe on Aug 9, 2016 22:34:12 GMT -5
A friend of mine is very embarrassed that he fell for this one.
His wife had returned an item to Amazon. He answers the phone and it's a man speaking broken English saying he's from Amazon and he's calling to discuss his recent return. He said he talked to him because his wife had made a return. Man says he needs to get in to his Amazon account on his computer. Yes, he let him.
Then he was told there was a problem and a third party would be finishing the transaction. He was put on hold. On his computer screen, a notice pops up that his computer is locked and it can be unlocked for $350. About then, another man comes on the phone and says to Fedex $350 cash to xxxx. He knew then he had been had, but it was too late.
His wife has another computer, so the Amazon password got changed on that computer. His computer will not go any farther than the ransom screen. He went to Best Buy yesterday and was told it will cost them more than $350 to unlock it and if he wants data recovered, it would cost more. Best Buy was aware of the scam. Friend is buying a new computer.
He thought he was smarter than this, but he fell for it. He can't believe that he fell for it.
Be careful.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Aug 9, 2016 22:50:09 GMT -5
Ugh. That's a shame.
All it takes is just a momentary lapse in vigilance or a plausible coincidence, and even savvy people can be caught off guard.
Your friend shouldn't be angry at himself; he should be angry at the criminals who caused him all the trouble. That's where the blame lies.
In the end, while it cost your friend some money and aggravation, the criminals didn't get anything out of the deal since he's not going to pay the ransom.
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toomuchreality
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Post by toomuchreality on Aug 10, 2016 0:56:04 GMT -5
Sorry for your friend. Thank you for the warning! So easy for something like this to happen! (jerks) Can you get past it with a lost password disc? -just curious.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Aug 10, 2016 8:20:47 GMT -5
Interesting that the call comes on the heels of items being returned to Amazon. Coincidence Ok, I love conspiracies
But sorry this happened as also thanks for the heads up!!
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midjd
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Post by midjd on Aug 10, 2016 8:27:04 GMT -5
My brother fell for a similar scam, except it was Facebook calling and asking him to log into his account. He ended up deleting his account for a while because not only did they demand money for unlocking it, they threatened to post a bunch of graphic pictures if he didn't. His laptop was toast as well. It's one of the savvier scams out there if they're impersonating legitimate businesses/websites that are popular enough it's likely you've made some transaction recently. And I'm pretty sure if my brother had $500 on hand at the time, he would have paid the ransom rather than risk embarrassment or the loss of his computer. Because I'm sure they would kindly unlock it as soon as they got the money. I hate scammers.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Aug 10, 2016 9:06:11 GMT -5
Interesting that the call comes on the heels of items being returned to Amazon. Coincidence Ok, I love conspiracies
But sorry this happened as also thanks for the heads up!! The story involving a return to Amazon is probably just the tale the scum chose to run their scam. They call thousands of potential targets until they get one who has recently made a return to Amazon. So many people buy from and make returns to Amazon every day that they are bound to get enough hits to make the scam profitable. No conspiracy theory necessary. It's just a story plausible enough to get past people's defenses.
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thyme4change
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Post by thyme4change on Aug 10, 2016 9:26:03 GMT -5
I'm still waiting for the IRS to come arrest me.
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dannylion
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Post by dannylion on Aug 10, 2016 9:29:26 GMT -5
I'm still waiting for the IRS to come arrest me.
Me, too! Well, actually, the threat in their latest voicemail message was that the "situation" would "unfold" upon me. I have no idea what that means, but I'm pretty sure it hasn't happened.
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sarcasticgirl
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Post by sarcasticgirl on Aug 10, 2016 9:42:21 GMT -5
So wait... He let someone proxy into his home computer?
Sent from my SM-N920T using proboards
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Spellbound454
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Post by Spellbound454 on Aug 10, 2016 9:43:26 GMT -5
I had ransomware last year.....managed to get rid of it once but it came back (froze my computer and demanded money)
A friend kept my photos and documents..... then deleted everything else and reloaded windows. Its a bit drastic but it wasn't that expensive.
Think I got mine from a drive by at youtube.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Aug 10, 2016 9:44:52 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things...
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Bonny
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Post by Bonny on Aug 10, 2016 9:51:30 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... I know, I think about that too.
But some people just revel in "getting one over someone" whom they think is stupider or richer than they. Or at least that's how I've heard it justified.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 10, 2016 9:54:38 GMT -5
So wait... He let someone proxy into his home computer? Sent from my SM-N920T using proboards Yeah, I was wondering what parts of the story we weren't getting... because I often get calls from my brother (who doesn't use Amazon or much on the internet) and I then sign in to my account via my home computer and we "shop" together. He's not able to 'magically' access my computer...
I'm NOT doubting the OP's story - I'm sure something bad happened and it probably DID start with a phone call from a scammer --- I'm just concerned that the 'not particularly' computer scammer savvy might take away from the story that a scammer can get your information with just a phone call and having you sign into something you use on-line regularly (and trust). There's no info on the 'key' pieces that would be useful to know in order to avoid this kind of problem.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 10, 2016 9:55:50 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... It doesn't take a lot of brain power to scam people...
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 10, 2016 10:00:15 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... What could be better than anonymously making $350 per pop off of unsuspecting computer users.
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Aug 10, 2016 10:15:18 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... It doesn't take a lot of brain power to scam people... Maybe not, though I would have no idea how to lock another person's computer and "hold it for ransom." I am obviously not very tech savvy. Then throw in the time and effort spent on the phone with random victims, etc. There has to at least be some effort put into it. I guess like bonny said, they just like the idea of scamming someone. What a shame.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 10, 2016 10:16:54 GMT -5
He went to Best Buy yesterday and was told it will cost them more than $350 to unlock it and if he wants data recovered, it would cost more. Best Buy was aware of the scam. Friend is buying a new computer. Thanks for the warning- I'm mentioning it to DH, too.
I had some problems that were likely due to a virus infestation over a year ago- I also tried Best Buy and found they'd charge more than the computer was worth to resolve any virus issues. I bought a new computer- and NOT from Best Buy.
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janee
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Post by janee on Aug 10, 2016 10:36:12 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... You are so right! I always say the same thing!!!
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 10, 2016 10:55:41 GMT -5
Ugh! If only these scammers would use their brain power for better things... What could be better than anonymously making $350 per pop off of unsuspecting computer users. So, can't they track the Fed Ex package containing the ransom and catch the bastards?
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 10, 2016 11:16:52 GMT -5
What could be better than anonymously making $350 per pop off of unsuspecting computer users. So, can't they track the Fed Ex package containing the ransom and catch the bastards? That was my first thought. But even then someone could rent a P.O. box at their post office under a fake name, use the street address of the post office, and instead of using a box #, they could write suite # and the post office would know which box to put the FedEx delivery. Have a number of different post office addresses around the country so that one post office address does not get too much traffic to draw attention.
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GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl
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Post by GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl on Aug 10, 2016 11:21:01 GMT -5
Hmmm, not sure the P.O. accepts Fed Ex for box holders...
And even if they do, security cameras would catch pix of the box holder/scammer.
I just think there's got to be a way to catch these jerks if they are dumb enough to have something shipped to them. Stealing money electronically is hard to trace, but physically? Simple.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 10, 2016 11:29:15 GMT -5
It doesn't take a lot of brain power to scam people... Maybe not, though I would have no idea how to lock another person's computer and "hold it for ransom." I am obviously not very tech savvy. Then throw in the time and effort spent on the phone with random victims, etc. There has to at least be some effort put into it. I guess like bonny said, they just like the idea of scamming someone. What a shame. Well, you are assuming that it's a single person with a lot of know how doing this... I suspect there was a single person (or a small group) who came up with 'process' needed to get into someone's computer... but then I bet they sold that knowledge to another person or group who then did the leg work to get it out and making money. The guy on the phone in the OP's post may have little to now technical knowledge. They just need to have the "tools" and how to use them.
I also don't think it's a single someone doing it for the 'feels' - like putting something over on someone or getting back at The Man. I bet the money collected is goes to some 'bigger' operation... a 'gang' or a 'mafia' or some something.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 10, 2016 11:31:18 GMT -5
Yeah, I was wondering what parts of the story we weren't getting... because I often get calls from my brother (who doesn't use Amazon or much on the internet) and I then sign in to my account via my home computer and we "shop" together. He's not able to 'magically' access my computer...
I'm NOT doubting the OP's story - I'm sure something bad happened and it probably DID start with a phone call from a scammer --- I'm just concerned that the 'not particularly' computer scammer savvy might take away from the story that a scammer can get your information with just a phone call and having you sign into something you use on-line regularly (and trust). There's no info on the 'key' pieces that would be useful to know in order to avoid this kind of problem.
www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/security/news/cybercrime-and-digital-threats/amazon-users-targeted-with-locky-ransomware-via-phishing-scamsYep, emails and clicking on links/allowing downloads are never a good thing. This scam could have been run with just about any big business as an entry way...
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movingforward
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Post by movingforward on Aug 10, 2016 12:25:36 GMT -5
Maybe not, though I would have no idea how to lock another person's computer and "hold it for ransom." I am obviously not very tech savvy. Then throw in the time and effort spent on the phone with random victims, etc. There has to at least be some effort put into it. I guess like bonny said, they just like the idea of scamming someone. What a shame. Well, you are assuming that it's a single person with a lot of know how doing this... I suspect there was a single person (or a small group) who came up with 'process' needed to get into someone's computer... but then I bet they sold that knowledge to another person or group who then did the leg work to get it out and making money. The guy on the phone in the OP's post may have little to now technical knowledge. They just need to have the "tools" and how to use them.
I also don't think it's a single someone doing it for the 'feels' - like putting something over on someone or getting back at The Man. I bet the money collected is goes to some 'bigger' operation... a 'gang' or a 'mafia' or some something.
Actually, I am not assuming it is a single person. Our IT person at work has always told me that this type of thing typically falls into the category of organized crime. I guess what I am trying to say, apparently not very clearly, is that the person(s) running this operation are obviously not stupid so can't these turds find a legal way to make money.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 10, 2016 12:36:08 GMT -5
Well, you are assuming that it's a single person with a lot of know how doing this... I suspect there was a single person (or a small group) who came up with 'process' needed to get into someone's computer... but then I bet they sold that knowledge to another person or group who then did the leg work to get it out and making money. The guy on the phone in the OP's post may have little to now technical knowledge. They just need to have the "tools" and how to use them.
I also don't think it's a single someone doing it for the 'feels' - like putting something over on someone or getting back at The Man. I bet the money collected is goes to some 'bigger' operation... a 'gang' or a 'mafia' or some something.
Actually, I am not assuming it is a single person. Our IT person at work has always told me that this type of thing typically falls into the category of organized crime. I guess what I am trying to say, apparently not very clearly, is that the person(s) running this operation are obviously not stupid so can't these turds find a legal way to make money. Sorry, I was going with the generic "you" - I need to pay more attention... this also causes problems In Real Life.
And just a general comment - sometimes corruption is the "locally legal" way to make money... it just spills over
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 10, 2016 12:54:13 GMT -5
Hmmm, not sure the P.O. accepts Fed Ex for box holders... And even if they do, security cameras would catch pix of the box holder/scammer. I just think there's got to be a way to catch these jerks if they are dumb enough to have something shipped to them. Stealing money electronically is hard to trace, but physically? Simple. As long as it has a physical address and a suite # (read fancy word for p.o. box number), FedEx will deliver. And these jerks probably have different folks that stop in and pick up the mail at each location using a key to unlock the box. So the same person doesn't show up all the time. Just a theory.
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alabamagal
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Post by alabamagal on Aug 10, 2016 13:09:20 GMT -5
You rent a box at a mail box rental suite (no address or other verification Needed) then pay a homeless person $50 to pick up the mail for you.
I saw it in Law and Order.
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NoNamePerson
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Post by NoNamePerson on Aug 10, 2016 13:22:03 GMT -5
Interesting that the call comes on the heels of items being returned to Amazon. Coincidence Ok, I love conspiracies
But sorry this happened as also thanks for the heads up!! The story involving a return to Amazon is probably just the tale the scum chose to run their scam. They call thousands of potential targets until they get one who has recently made a return to Amazon. So many people buy from and make returns to Amazon every day that they are bound to get enough hits to make the scam profitable. No conspiracy theory necessary. It's just a story plausible enough to get past people's defenses.
Well crap, you just burst my conspiracy theory bubble. I'm going out in the back yard and eat worms.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Aug 10, 2016 14:13:19 GMT -5
A friend of mine is very embarrassed that he fell for this one. His wife had returned an item to Amazon. He answers the phone and it's a man speaking broken English saying he's from Amazon and he's calling to discuss his recent return. He said he talked to him because his wife had made a return. Man says he needs to get in to his Amazon account on his computer. Yes, he let him. Then he was told there was a problem and a third party would be finishing the transaction. He was put on hold. On his computer screen, a notice pops up that his computer is locked and it can be unlocked for $350. About then, another man comes on the phone and says to Fedex $350 cash to xxxx. He knew then he had been had, but it was too late. His wife has another computer, so the Amazon password got changed on that computer. His computer will not go any farther than the ransom screen. He went to Best Buy yesterday and was told it will cost them more than $350 to unlock it and if he wants data recovered, it would cost more. Best Buy was aware of the scam. Friend is buying a new computer. He thought he was smarter than this, but he fell for it. He can't believe that he fell for it. Be careful. I don't quite understand. It would take a lot more than giving somebody access to your Amazon account to compromise your computer in this way. You'd have to allow them remotely access your computer using a special application, or you'd need to run something downloaded from the Internet. Did your friend actually go to a site suggested by the scammer, download something, and run it?
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violagirl
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Post by violagirl on Aug 10, 2016 17:05:02 GMT -5
I try to get my parents not to answer any phone calls where they don't recognize the number, but they alternatively try to shame or play dumb with phone scammers. They find it fun.
I just try to drill it into them to be alert whenever someone calls out of the blue. Particularly if the person wants somethign from them or to do something for them. They have not fallen for anything yet. Another friend of theirs did and went all the way to Walmart and was in line to wire money when they saw a sign on the wall warning of scams. Like your friend, my husband just told them to buy a new computer, there was no way to know what malware they had on the computer. More cost effective to buy a new one than try to fix old.
I really hate having to be so cynical though. :^(
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