are scammers getting lazier

soolin

Just out of interest I went into my spam folder today to junk the rubbish. The usual dozens of emails purposrting to be from banks, paypal, ebay, HMRC - but they seem to be getting cruder. Are scammers getting lazy?

This for instance is a gem from 'ebay'

I have transferred the money for this item xxx on 06 February. When are you be able to start delivery? I'm very worried! If you don't answer me in 24 hours i will report you to eBay and i will announce the authorities.

I've also got a bank one that tells me I need to reset my details (DOB, mothers maiden name etc) otherwise the Federal Government will swoop on me as a terrorist.

Seriously, do they honestly expect anyone to fall for these?

paddyrg

Many scammers are genuinely stupid - let's face it, trying to cheat people for £20-odd a time isn't the work of criminal genius. They're also often extremely lazy or they'd actually do a day's work instead.

alykatz

Also most of them dont have english as their first language and rely on things like google translate to write in english.

PDC

Most of it is automated now, certainly in the first instance, to see if you respond. So its easier for people to send more and, while filtering is getting much better, some still gets through.

I did see a couple of very convincing eBay emails the other day, the only thing 'wrong' was the log in link.

Collabora

these are the latest ones i get

Строительная лаборатория оперативного реагирования.

Сопровождение строительства, строительная экспертиза, испытание материалов.

Здравствуйте,
В ответ на наш запрос сообщаем.
Да, мы проводим испытания прочности бетона и жб конструкций, как неразрушающим методом (выезд на объект), так и по контрольным образцам (кубики).
Возможно заключение договора на лабораторное обслуживание.

С уважением,
Строительная Лаборатория "СтройКонтроль".

Тел: +7 (495) 229-93-26
E-mail :info@stroy-lab.net
Адрес 109029, Москва ул. Большая Калитниковская д.42 офис 203

so clearly the Russians have not heard of Google Translate

shopbot

soolin wrote: »

Seriously, do they honestly expect anyone to fall for these?

I used to hold the same view but then read a couple of articles like this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/9346371/Nigerian-scam-emails-deliberately-implausible.html

It's suggested that the emails are deliberately badly written etc. That way they know anyone who does respond is going to be a very easy target. It's a way of selecting the 'best targets'. Not only for the first scam but future ones.

SB

mrcol1000

shopbot wrote: »

I used to hold the same view but then read a couple of articles like this: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/9346371/Nigerian-scam-emails-deliberately-implausible.html

It's suggested that the emails are deliberately badly written etc. That way they know anyone who does respond is going to be a very easy target. It's a way of selecting the 'best targets'. Not only for the first scam but future ones.

SB

To be honest with people buying Playstation packaging for £300 despite the listing clearly showing you only get the box, not the actual Playstation. Do scammers really have to put much effort into the E-mails they send?