WARNING - Nigerian 419 scam: coming soon to your cell phone - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 10-07-2006, 12:31 AM

So, this morning while I was at work (approximately 7 am PDT), I received a phone call on my cell phone from a thirteen-digit number. I was talking to a customer, so I didn't answer.

A few minutes later, that phone number called again. I still didn't answer. But this time, the caller left a bizarre voice mail in broken English. Here's what I can decipher from the message he left:

Quote:

"Hi, good afternoon. This is (friend?) from Nigerian Navy, just to say hello to you, and [indecipherable]. Goodbye."

When I heard the word "Nigeria," I was spooked, because I've heard quite a few things about Nigerian mail/e-mail scams.

A short time later, he sent me the following text message:

Quote:

Jessica good day to you how is everything though it's a long time I just want to say hi from ur friend OLA in Nigerian Navy onboard formal cowslip kindly reply

Yeah, I don't know where he got "Jessica," either, especially considering that in my voice mail greeting, I certainly don't sound like anyone named Jessica.

Anyway, I made damn sure I didn't reply to that voice mail or text message. I immediately called Verizon, freaked out of my gourde, and told the CSR what was happening. I told her I had a strong feeling it was a phishing attempt and that I wanted them stopped immediately.

So I had to have my number changed. What a nightmare.

Anyway, I just wanted to give everyone a heads-up.

On a side note, I don't know how the hell this person got my phone number. I make it a point never to send text messages to anyone, unless it's someone I know.

dawsongirl · 10-07-2006, 01:45 AM

That's scary. Smart thinking calling Verizon.

I have to wonder how many people would be stupid enough to reply to those despite not being named Jessica or knowing anyone in Nigeria...too many is my guess.

Mr. Stefani · 10-07-2006, 02:04 AM

Thats really strange. I don't get what they were trying to accomplish, though?

James"Thunder"Early · 10-07-2006, 02:08 AM

Very scary. I guess since people are catching on to their email scams, they've moved on to the phone. The emails are bad enough, but a phone call really crosses the line.

Lamont · 10-07-2006, 10:36 AM

scams

i get about 4 emails scams A WEEK

at least once a week i get a PAY PAL SCAM

u know fake email says PROBLEM with your pay pal account

click this link and verify your account info

NOT FROM PAY PAL

then i get the A CLIENT OF MINE HAS DIED WITH 10 million dollars unclaimed.. scam

i report them to AOL

nothing happens

same thing next week

now my cell phone aint safe!

AKA · 10-07-2006, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Stefani

Thats really strange. I don't get what they were trying to accomplish, though?

I'm suspecting this.

It's been a pain in the ass changing my number. I still haven't gotten in touch with all my friends to let them know.

sara · 10-07-2006, 03:52 PM

Well at least the scammer was stupid enough to say he was from Nigeria in his message. He might as well have started the call by saying "Hello this is a scam."

Karen* · 10-07-2006, 04:19 PM

Thanks for the heads up. Didn't people on this board receive PMs with this scam a while back? I remember someone told me about it. Very scary stuff.

Courtnee · 10-07-2006, 04:23 PM

10-07-2006, 02:08 AM	#4
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	Very scary. I guess since people are catching on to their email scams, they've moved on to the phone. The emails are bad enough, but a phone call really crosses the line.
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10-07-2006, 10:36 AM	#5
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	scams i get about 4 emails scams A WEEK at least once a week i get a PAY PAL SCAM u know fake email says PROBLEM with your pay pal account click this link and verify your account info NOT FROM PAY PAL then i get the A CLIENT OF MINE HAS DIED WITH 10 million dollars unclaimed.. scam i report them to AOL nothing happens same thing next week now my cell phone aint safe!
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10-07-2006, 03:52 PM	#7
sara Member Senior Member Join Date: May 21, 2002 Location: grandville michigan Posts: 2,296	Well at least the scammer was stupid enough to say he was from Nigeria in his message. He might as well have started the call by saying "Hello this is a scam."
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10-07-2006, 04:19 PM	#8
Karen* paradox. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 28,365	Thanks for the heads up. Didn't people on this board receive PMs with this scam a while back? I remember someone told me about it. Very scary stuff.
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10-07-2006, 04:23 PM	#9
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413
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10-07-2006, 01:45 AM	#2
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	That's scary. Smart thinking calling Verizon. I have to wonder how many people would be stupid enough to reply to those despite not being named Jessica or knowing anyone in Nigeria...too many is my guess.

10-07-2006, 02:04 AM	#3
Mr. Stefani Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Posts: 20,757	Thats really strange. I don't get what they were trying to accomplish, though?