Latest Information - Internet Scams - Email Hoaxes - True Stories
Collapse Of 13 Story Building in ChinaMessage claims that a series of attached images show a 13 story apartment building that toppled over in China due to major construction errors.
Published: 3rd September 2010
Gang Initiation Warning Hoax - Infant Car Seat Left On RoadsideWarning message claims that criminals in the UK are placing infant car seats containing fake babies on the sides of rural roads as a means of tricking potential victims into stopping their cars so that gang members can rape and rob them as part of a gang initiation.
Published: 2nd September 2010
Death From Poisoned Rhino Horn RumourMessage claims that a man in Thailand died after consuming powdered rhino horn that had been deliberately poisoned in a controversial attempt to curtail the poaching of rhinos.
Published: 31st August 2010
Canadian Refugee Pensions Protest HoaxProtest message claims that refugees in Canada receive a substantially higher monthly pension payment from the Canadian government than that received by Canadian old age pensioners.
Published: 27th August 2010
Financial Ombudsman Services Scam EmailEmail purporting to be from Financial Ombudsman Services in the UK claims that, during investigations into corrupt banking practices, it was discovered that funds previously owed to the recipient have been put on hold because a "Money Laundry Anti-terrorist Drug Clearance" document was not submitted.
Published: 25th August 2010
Snake Inside Computer PhotographsEmail with attached photographs claims that a technician found a snake inside a computer after the user reported hearing hissing noises and a bad smell.
Updated: 24th August 2010
New Gifts For You Facebook Virus WarningWarning circulating rapidly on Facebook warns users not to click on links labelled "New Gifts For You" because the links will launch a virus that will automatically spread via Facebook comments.
Published: 24th August 2010
Furong Reservoir - Giant Man Eating Catfish HoaxEmail claims that attached photographs show a massive man-eating catfish caught in the Furong Reservoir in Huadu, China.
Updated: 23rd August 2010
Luxury Yacht With Supercar - Buy One Get One FreeMessage claims that attached images depict a luxury yacht that comes complete with a specially produced supercar that will be carried as a tender in a stern garage.
Published: 23th August 2010
'Interesting Fact' About August 2010 - 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays, 5 TuesdaysMessage claims that August 2010 has 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays and 5 Tuesdays and that this combination of days only occurs once in 823 years.
Published: 23rd August 2010
'Dislike Button' Scam Targets Facebook UsersBogus messages being posted on Facebook claim that users can follow a link to install a "Dislike Button" on their Facebook account.
Published: 18th August 2010
Rachel Arlington Charity HoaxEmail claims that AOL and Zdnet will donate money to help a child with brain cancer every time the email is forwarded.
Updated: 10th August 2010
Olympic Tower 2016 - Rio Solar City Tower DesignMessage claims that attached images show an innovative solar powered tower that is to be built in the bay at Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Published: 17th August 2010
Multicoloured Roses - Happy Roses PhotographMessage with a photograph of very colourful roses claims that the flowers are specially bred to grow in multiple colours.
Published: 16th August 2010
Girl Who Killed Herself Virus Warning HoaxPost circulating via Facebook warns users not to open any message about "a girl who killed herself over something her father wrote on her wall" because the message contains a self-replicating Trojan virus.
Published: 13th August 2010
Cindy Hogman (or Hogan) Prayer Request EmailEmail claiming to be from Gary Hogman, (aka Gary Hogan) a soldier serving in Iraq, asks recipients to pray for Gary's wife Cindy who has been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Updated: 13th August 2010
Baby Shot With Brad Nailer Prayer RequestViral message asks recipients to pray for the recovery of a 22 month old who accidentally shot himself in the chest with a brad nailer.
Published: 12th August 2010
Free Doritos Coupons HoaxEmail forward claims that an attached file contains coupons that can be printed off and redeemed for Doritos products to the value of $5 per coupon.
Published: 12th August 2010
Orphanage Trust Job Offer ScamEmail purporting to be from Timothy Crawford, a recruitment officer for the Pattaya Orphanage Trust, offers the recipient a job processing donations from Australian residents.
Published: 6th August 2010
Giant Headed Baby Money For Forwarding HoaxEmail that includes attached images of a baby with a severely enlarged head claims that, each time the email is forwarded, money will be donated to help pay for an operation to help the child.
Published: 5th August 2010
Parrot For Sale or Adoption Advance Fee ScamsMessages claim that the sender has expensive pet parrots for sale very cheaply or is willing to give the birds away for free to a good home.
Published: 3rd August 2010
Famous Violinist Joshua Bell Plays At Metro StationEmail forward claims that virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell performed incognito at a metro station in Washington DC playing on a violin worth millions of dollars but his performance received very little interest from passersby.
Updated: 2nd August 2010
Imitinef Mercilet - Free Blood Cancer Medicine Advice MessageMessage advises recipients that "Imitinef Mercilet", a medicine that cures blood cancer, is available free of charge from the Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai, India.
Published: 27th July 2010
Falsely Attributed Quote - A Norman Rockwell MomentMessage that includes a quote about work and government billed as "possibly the 5 best sentences you'll ever read" implies that the words were penned by famous US artist Norman Rockwell.
Published: 21st July 2010
Mars, Earth - Closest Approach in Recorded HistoryEmail claims that Earth and Mars will have the closest approach in recorded history in August and will be a spectacular sight for stargazers.
Updated: 21st July 2010
Circulating Request - Help Pooja Find Her ParentsWidely circulated message asks recipients to help find the parents of 4 year old Pooja, who was rescued from a kidnapper by police but cannot clearly communicate her identity.
Published: 20th July 2010
Debbie Shwartz Charity HoaxEmail claims that AOL will help Debbie Shwartz, a struggling single mother, by donating money every time an email is forwarded to 12 people.
Updated: 19th July 2010
Telstra Bill Account Update Phishing ScamEmail purporting to be from Australian telecommunications provider, Telstra, claims that the company was unable to process a recent payment and the recipient is therefore required to click a link and update billing information or risk interruption to service.
Published: 19th July 2010
Face Book Promotion Advance Fee ScamMessage posted to Facebook users claims that the account holder has won a large sum of money in the Face Book 2010 promotion.
Published: 17th July 2010
Scammers Pose as Microsoft Tech Support Workers to Hijack ComputersWarning message claims that scammers posing as Microsoft staff members are calling people and attempting to trick them into handing over access to their computers.
Published: 16th July 2010
Laptop Fire Death Warning EmailEmail forward warns recipients not to use laptop computers in bed because of the risk of fire. The message claims that 25 year old Arun Gopal recently died in a tragic house fire caused by an overheated laptop left on his bed while he was sleeping.
Published: 16th July 2010
Verified By Visa Banking Incident Phishing ScamEmail purporting to be from Verified by Visa, claims that, due to multiple failed attempts to access the recipient's account, the account holder must confirm account information within 48 hours or the account will be suspended indefinitely.
Published: 14th July 2010
Knob Face Trojan Worm Warning MessageMessage spreading via Facebook warns about a "Trojan worm" called Knob Face and advisers recipients to avoid adding a user called "Smartgirl 15". It also warns users to watch out for links labelled "Barack Obama Clinton scandal".
Published: 14th July 2010
Decorative Magnets on Refrigerators - Cancer Warning HoaxWarning message claims that researchers at Princeton University have discovered that electromagnetic radiation from decorative magnets stuck to refrigerator doors "radiated" the food inside thereby massively increasing the probability of cancer in test mice used in the study.
Published: 13th July 2010
St. Augustine Find - Huge Eastern Diamondback RattlesnakeMessage claims that attached photographs show a 15 foot long Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake caught at St. Augustine, Florida.y
Published: 9th July 2010
Black in the White House Virus HoaxMessage warns that an email attachment named "Black in the White House" or "Black Muslim in the White House" contains a damaging computer virus that can destroy the hard drive of the infected computer.
Updated: 9th July 2010
1954 Home Computer HoaxCaption accompanying a widely circulated image claims that the picture depicts how scientists in 1954 imagined a home computer set-up would look in 2004.
Updated: 7th July 2010
BlackBerry RIM Inactive Account HoaxMessage circulating via BlackBerry Messenger, purporting to be from Research In Motion (RIM), claims that, due to a server problem, the recipient must resend the message to all his or her contacts or the account will remain inactive and contact information will be lost.
Published: 7th July 2010
Free Blackberry Storm for Forwarding HoaxMessage claims that Blackberry is giving away free phones to those who forward the email to eight or more people.
Published: 6th July 2010
Resignation Of Barack Obama Virus HoaxMessage warns recipients not to open an email with a subject or attachment titled "Resignation Of Barack Obama" or "Postcard From Bejing" because it contains a virus that will destroy the hard drive on the infected computer.
Published: 6th July 2010
Five Headed Cobra Hoax ImagesCirculating images supposedly depict a five-headed cobra found at Kukke Subrahmanya, a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Published: 5th July 2010
Kevin Rudd Fire the Cattle Guards HoaxMessage claims that, upon hearing that there were over 10,000 "cattle guards" in NSW & Queensland, then Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd ordered that half of the "guards" be fired immediately because he mistakenly assumed that the cattle guards were actually human guards rather than simply steel grate devices placed on roadways to restrict the movement of cattle and other livestock.
Published: 2nd July 2010
AOL Update Billing Information Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from AOL, claims that, due to a payment processing failure, the recipient's AOL service will be blocked unless he or she updates payment details within 24 hours by following a link in the message.
Published: 30th June 2010
Baby Manuela Email Forwarding Charity HoaxMessage claims that you can help pay medical costs for baby Manuela, a child with a rare disease who needs an operation, just by forwarding the email to at least three people.
Updated: 30th June 2010
Rehana 27 From Leicister Hacker Warning HoaxMessage warns users not to add 27 year old Rehana from "leicister" because she is a hacker.
Published: 25th June 2010
Deaths From Free Perfume Samples HoaxMessages circulating via Facebook, SMS and email claim that seven women have died after inhaling free perfume samples sent to them in the mail.
Published: 24th June 2010
Abduction Alert Message For Eight Year Old Girl From West Valley City UtahAlert message circulating via Facebook and other websites claims that an 8 year girl in West Valley City, Utah was abducted by two men driving a white sedan with the licence plate 9770J or 977AJ.
Published: 24th June 2010
Apple iPhone and iPad Giveaway Spam on FacebookMessages circulating rapidly around Facebook claim that you can receive a free Apple iPhone 4G or an an Apple iPad by following a link and signing up on a third party website.
Published: 24th June 2010
Ashley Flores Missing Child HoaxEmail forward claims that 13-year-old Ashley Flores is missing from Philadelphia.
Updated: 23rd June 2010
Bristol Zoo Car Park Attendant HoaxMessage claims that a man posing as a car park attendant at Bristol Zoo collected unauthorised parking fees from zoo visitors for 25 years before absconding to Spain to live in luxury on the proceeds of his illegal activities.
Updated: 23rd June 2010
Converted Grain Silo Apartment PhotographsMessage claims that a series of attached photographs depict an old grain silo that has been relocated to Niftynev Homestead in Shane Park NSW and converted to a modern, well appointed apartment.
Published: 21st June 2010
Bill Cosby Write-In Candidate For President In 2012 HoaxCirculating message claims that US comedian Bill Cosby is intending to run for President in the 2012 elections. The message supposedly outlines Cosby's platform for reform should he become President.
Published: 17th June 2010
Two Suns - Star Aderoid HoaxMessage claims that the star "Aderoid" will move close to the Earth in June 2010 and will appear as large as the Sun to the naked eye.
Published: 16th June 2010
Cannot Create Windows Folder Named ConMessage claims that not even Microsoft and Bill Gates can explain why it is impossible to create a folder named "CON" on a Windows based computer.
Updated: 15th June 2010
Old Woman and The Smashed Car Window Abduction Warning HoaxMessage claims that a violent male criminal is attempting to abduct women at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Perth Western Australia by pretending to be an old woman.
Published: 11th June 2010
Emiliano Briones Ronquillo Prayer Request MessageMessage circulating via Facebook and other social networking websites asks for prayers for two year old Emiliano Briones Ronquillo.
Published: 10th June 2010
Commonwealth Bank Phishing Scam - Online Access Suspended MessageEmail, purporting to be from Australia's Commonwealth Bank, claims that the recipient's online account access has been suspended until he or she verifies identity and account details via a link in the message.
Published: 10th June 2010
Missing Teen Alert - Kelsey Ray (Kelsey Has Now Been Found)Message provides information about sixteen year old Kelsey Nicole Ray who want missing from Superior, Montana on 30th May 2010. Kelsey Ray has now been found and has been reunited with her family.
Updated: 9th June 2010
Facebook Deactivated Account SpamMessage purporting to be from Facebook, claims that the user's Facebook account has been deactivated and urges him or her to follow a link to reactivate the account.
Published: 9th June 2010
Free Starlight Cruise For Forwarding HoaxEmail claims that you can enter a competition to win a four night cruise for two people from South Africa's Starlight Cruises simply by forwarding the message to ten people.
Published: 9th June 2010
Remus Rudd Hanged Horse Thief HoaxCirculating story claims that Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's great-great Uncle Remus was hanged as a horse thief and train robber in 1889 and that the Prime Minister's staff answered a query about this politically unfortunate ancestral connection with a piece of classic political spin that attempted to present Uncle Remus's nefarious activities in a positive light.
Published: 8th June 2010
General Cosgrove Radio Interview HoaxMessage claims that Australia’s General Peter Cosgrove made a remark about a female interviewer being "equipped to be a prostitute" during an interview on ABC radio.
Updated: 4th June 2010
Liquid Mountaineering Video - Walking on WaterViral video supposedly shows young men participating in a "new sport" in which they apparently run on water with the aid of special water proof footwear.
Updated: 4th June 2010
Thirty-Two AA Batteries From One 6-Volt Lantern Battery VideoWidely circulated video supposedly shows how to save money by extracting 32 AA batteries from one 6-volt lantern battery.
Updated: 3rd June 2010
Muslim Sign in Houston Mall Protest Message - The Martyrdom of Imam AliProtest email claims that a sign posted on the door of a Muslim owned shop in Houston in September 2009, honoured one of the September 11 hijackers who flew the aircraft into the World Trade Center.
Published: 3rd June 2010
Snake Pulling "Cow" PhotographEmail claims that an attached photograph shows a large snake dragging the body of a cow out of a gorge waterhole.
Updated: 2nd June 2010
Motorcycle Inside Volkswagen Accident PhotographsEmail forward that includes photographs showing a Volkswagen car with a motorcycle wedged inside it, claims that the images show the end result of an accident that killed three people. The images reportedly depict a display featured at a motorcycle fair.
Published: 1st June 2010
Not Able to Deliver UPS Package Malware EmailEmails purporting to be from delivery company, UPS, claim that a package sent by the recipient could not be delivered. The messages instruct the recipient to open an attachment to print out an invoice.
Updated: 1st June 2010
Dust-Off Warning EmailEmail from a grieving father outlines the danger of inhaling Dust-Off computer cleaner, after his son died as a result of "huffing" the product.
Updated: 31st May 2010
Compuserve Database Upgrade Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from online service provider CompuServe, claims that the recipient must reply immediately with his or her CompuServe login details or risk having the account closed.
Published: 31st May 2010
Plagiarized Poem - Why Computers Sometimes Crash! by Dr. SeussAn amusing poem about computing that has circulated widely online and via email is attributed to American writer, Dr Seuss.
Updated: 26th May 2010
Coca-Cola Online Promo Advance Fee ScamEmail, purporting to be an official prize notification document from Coca-Cola, claims that the recipient has won 950,000.00 GPB in the "Coca-Cola Company 2010 online Promo".
Published: 26th May 2010
Kevin Carter Pulitzer Prize PhotographEmail with a disturbing image of a starving child being shadowed by a vulture claims that the photograph won a Pulitzer Prize for Photojournalist, Kevin Carter.
Updated: 26th May 2010
LeBleu Family Prayer Request MessageMessage circulating via social networking websites and email asks recipients to offer prayers for the Mike LeBleu family who lost four of their daughters in a house fire in May 2010.
Published: 25th May 2010
Distracting Beach Babes Facebook Malware AttackA rogue Facebook Application is posting links on Facebook Walls that supposedly open a video showing "Distracting Beach Babes".
Published: 25th May 2010
Mother Tiger Nurses Piglets EmailEmail forward that includes photographs of a tiger suckling several tiger-costumed piglets claims that the baby pigs were given to the mother tiger to counteract her depression after losing her own cubs.
Updated: 24th May 2010
Image Showing a Kayak in the Mouth of a WhaleEmail claims that an attached image depicts a kayak caught in the open mouth of a whale as it surfaces to feed.
Published: 24th May 2010
Becoming a Father or Mother Facebook Group Pedophile Warning HoaxMessage circulating on Facebook warns users not to join the group titled "becoming a father or mother was the greatest gift of my life" because it is operated by a group of pedophiles intent on accessing your Facebook photographs.
Published: 24th May 2010
Michael Verster Missing Child AlertCirculating message claims that 9 year old Michael Verster is missing from his home in Pinetown, South Africa.
Published: 21st May 2010
Walmart Fire Charity Hoax - Sad Walmart StoryEmail claims that Yahoo (or AOL) will help pay the medical expenses of a child badly burnt in a Walmart fire if the message is forwarded to others.
Updated: 21st May 2010
Microsoft Email Beta Test Hoax ContinuesRevamped version of the Microsoft email beta test hoax includes "testimonies" and a bank account screenshot of supposed money received. The message claims that Microsoft will send money to anybody who forwards it to others.
Updated: 21st May 2010
Cessna Citation Engines Damaged by Volcanic Ash HoaxEmail that features a series of attached photographs depicting a severely damaged jet engine claims that the damage was caused by the aircraft flying through volcanic ash.
Published: 20th May 2010
Audri King Prayer RequestMessage that circulates via Facebook, MySpace and email asks recipients to pray for two year old Audri (or Audrin) King who has cancer.
Published: 18th May 2010
FIFA 2010 World Cup Lottery ScamMessage purporting to be a "winning notification" from international football association FIFA, claims that the recipient has won two million eight hundred thousand dollars in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Lottery.
Published: 17th May 2010
McDonald's Ball Pit Death HoaxEmail forward claims that 3-year-old Kevin Archer died after being pricked by a heroin filled hypodermic needle left in a McDonald's ball pit.
Updated: 17th May 2010
Cold Water Causes Cancer Warning MessageMessage claims that drinking cold water after a meal will solidify "oily stuff" present in the food consumed and will lead to cancer.
Updated: 12th May 2010
Letter Z To Be Removed from the Alphabet HoaxMessage claims that the "English Language Central Commission (ELCC)" has decided to remove the letter "Z" from the English Alphabet from June 1st.
Published: 12th Amy 2010
Killer House Plant WarningMessage claims that an indoor plant that is commonly kept in homes and offices is so poisonous that it can kill a child in less than a minute and an adult in 15 minutes. The message, which comes with a photograph of the "killer plant", also warns that touching the plant and then rubbing your eyes can cause permanent blindness.
Published: 11th May 2010
Refugee Monthly Allowance From Australian Government HoaxProtest emails claim that refugees receive a substantially higher monthly payment from the Australian government than do Australian pensioners.
Updated: 10th May 2010
iTunes Gift Certificate Trojan EmailEmail claims that the recipient has received an iTunes Gift Certificate worth $50.00 and instructs him or her to open an attached file to access a certificate code.
Published: 10th May 2010
Russian K-7 Heavy Bomber ImagesCirculating message claims that attached images depict a K-7, an exceptionally large aircraft built in Russia during the 1930's.
Published: 4th April 2010
Paypal New Message Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be a "new message" from Paypal claims that an error has been detected in the recipient's Paypal account and he or she must submit an attached form verifying his or her details or risk having the account suspended.
Published: 1st May 2010
Marzipan Frosting Babies Hoax EmailMessage claims that attached photographs show cake-frosting babies made from marzipan.
Updated: 30th April 2010
Help Nirosha Silva By Forwarding HoaxEmail claims that, every time the message is forwarded, AOL will donate money to help Nirosha Silva pay medical bills for her seriously injured husband.
Updated: 29th April 2010
Shark Behind Scuba Divers Photo HoaxEmail claims that an attached image showing a large shark very close behind a scuba-diving couple is a real photograph taken during a family holiday in Australia.
Updated: 28th April 2010
Incredible Cave Village PhotographsMessage claims that a series of photographs showing incredible "cave" dwellings cut in to natural cone-shaped rock formations depict a village in Afghanistan.
Published: 27th April 2010
Cell Phone Gun WarningEmail warns that guns disguised as cell phones have been discovered and that the devices may pose a security threat at high risk locations such as airports.
Updated: 26th April 2010
Gmail Deleting Unused Accounts HoaxEmail, purporting to be an official notification from webmail service Gmail, claims that the user's Gmail account will be deleted if he or she does not forward the message to other contacts.
Published: 25th April 2010
Punjab National Bank Updated Email Address Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from India's Punjab National Bank claims that the recipient's account email address has been updated. It instructs the recipient to fill in an attached form to restore the account if he or she feels that the change was unauthorized.
Published: 19th April 2010
Acid Rain Warning HoaxMessage warns recipients that there is a possibility of dangerous acid rain falling between the 20th and 28th of the month as indicated by dark circles appearing around the moon.
Published: 17th April 2010
Cocoa Mulch Toxic to Dogs Warning EmailEmail forward warns that Cocoa Mulch can be harmful to dogs.
Updated: 16th April 2010
Chewing Gum and Helium Experiment VideoCirculating video supposedly shows young men floating above the ground and jumping safely from a high bridge solely with the aid of a chewing gum bubble filled with helium.
Published: 15th April 2010
Progesterex - Sterility Date Rape Drug HoaxEmail claims that a sterilization pill called Progesterex is being mixed with the date rape drug Rohypnol to facilitate sexual assaults that leave the victim sterile.
Updated: 14th April 2010
Shark Attacking Helicopter PhotographEmail that includes an image depicting a large shark jumping at a helicopter claims that the photograph was nominated by National Geographic as "The photo of the year".
Updated: 14th April 2010
Gmail Account Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from Google Support, claims that the recipient will lose his or her Gmail account if he or she does not reply with the account's username and password and other personal information within seven days of receiving the message.
Published: 14th April 2010
Anupam Biswas Orkut Money For Forwarding Charity HoaxMessage claims that, every time an email is forwarded, social networking site Orkut will donate money to cover the medical bills of a seriously ill mechanical engineering student named Anupam Biswas.
Published: 6th April 2010
Most Beautiful Mummy Good Luck Chain LetterEmail chain letter with an attached photograph of a child mummy claims that those who send the message to twenty friends will receive good luck.
Updated: 6th April 2010
Images Of Strange Mermaid Found On BeachCirculating photographs of a strange sea-creature are claimed to depict the body of a mermaid or alien found on a beach.
Updated: 3rd April 2010
Gold Coast City Council Weather Modification Warning HoaxEmail that contains an attached flyer purporting to be from the Gold Coast City Council warns residents about supposed atmosphere contamination caused by high altitude "weather modification" activities being carried out by the "United Nations Atmospheric Control Council".
Published: 1st April 2010
Applebee's Gift Certificate HoaxEmail promises free Applebee's gift certificates for those who forward the message to a specified number of people.
Updated: 1st April 2010
Pearl Harbor Box Brownie PhotographsEmail claims that a series of old photographs depicting the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 were found in a Kodak Box Brownie camera stored in a foot locker.
Updated: 31st March 2010
Flying 101 - Kulula Airlines Jet With "Instructional" LiveryEmail claims that a series of attached photographs show the humorous paint job used on a plane belonging to a South African airline. The "Flying 101" livery features an amusing guide to the various components of the aircraft's interior.
Published: 31st March 2010
Sandeep Money For Forwarding Charity HoaxMessage claims that, every time the email is forwarded, Yahoo India will donate money to help pay for a life saving operation on the pregnant girlfriend of a man named Sandeep.
Published: 27th March 2010
Sundarbans Ghost Chain LetterEmail that includes an image of a ghostly girl in the Sundarbans claims that bad luck will befall those who do not forward the message.
Updated: 27th March 2010
IRS Tax Refund Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from the IRS, claims that the recipient is eligible for a tax refund and should click on an included link to access the refund.
Updated: 26th March 2010
South African Revenue Service Tax Refund Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) claims that the recipient can claim a tax refund by clicking a link and submitting an online tax refund request form.
Published: 19th March 2010
Beware of Dubious Facebook "Free Offer" GroupsFacebook groups that offer users supposedly free items or services such as Facebook site enhancements or extra Facebook game items and updates may require participants to sign up for expensive SMS phone services.
Published: 18th March 2010
Google "Received Your Resume" Malware EmailA "Thank You" email purporting to be from Google informs the recipient that the company has received his or her resume. The message instructs the recipient to open an attached file to to review the submitted job application.
Published: 16th March 2010
Muslim Protest Photographs - Pictures From LondonEmail claims that a series of attached photographs depict a protest in London at which Muslim demonstrators displayed placards with violent and inflammatory slogans.
Published: 13th March 2010
F1 Key Virus WarningMessage warns that responding to a pop-up prompt by pressing the F1 key when visiting an infected website could download and install a virus on your computer.
Published: 11th March 2010
Apartment Cleaner Overpayment ScamEmail offers the recipient a part time job cleaning an apartment for a quite generous fee. The cleaner is advised to deduct this fee from a cheque made out for a considerably larger amount and then wire the remainder to the landlord via a money transfer service.
Published: 11th March 2010
Western Union Unauthorized Transaction Phishing ScamEmail claims that money transfer service Western Union has noticed unauthorized transactions on the recipient's credit card and instructs him or her to fill in an attached form in order to verify identity and payment details.
Published: 9th March 2010
The WHY Yacht - Luxurious 58x38 Yacht from Wally HermèsEmail forward claims that a series of attached images show an innovative and luxurious new yacht of enormous proportions dubbed the WHY 58x38.
Published: 8th March 2010
Haiti Earthquake Money Laundering ScamEmail asks the recipient to work as a representative for a Haiti Earthquake disaster aid organization by collecting and processing donated funds.
Published: 3rd March 2010
Check Out YouTube Request - Facebook Trojan Worm WarningMessage circulating on Facebook warns users not to open a request to check out a YouTube video because it contains a "trojan worm" that can shut down the infected computer and steal personal information.
Published: 28th February 2010
Boy Shot By Step Dad Charity HoaxMessage claims that, every time a text message is sent on, AT&T or Verizon will donate money to help pay for surgery on a 14 year old boy who was shot six times by his stepfather while attempting to protect his young sister.
Published: 27th February 2010
Costa Rica Turtle Egg Harvest Protest EmailEmail that call for a stop to a supposed "attack against nature" on the beaches of Costa Rica claims that a series of attached photographs depict crowds of people digging up and stealing turtle eggs that they will later sell.
Published: 25th February 2010
Mercedes-Benz Test Questions Advance Fee ScamEmail claims that the recipient can be awarded the prize of a new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class GL550 along with three hundred thousand euros simply by replying with the answers to a very short and simply quiz .
Published: 23rd February 2010
Facebook Deleting Inactive Users HoaxMessages claims that Facebook is becoming overpopulated and that members who do not send the information to others within two weeks will have their accounts deleted.
Updated: 23rd February 2010
Gordon Lightfoot Death HoaxMessages circulating via Twitter, Facebook and email claim that iconic Canadian singer- songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is dead.
Published: 22nd February 2010
Facebook Gold Account HoaxesStatus updates being passed around on Facebook supposedly provide information about how to gain access to an enhanced version of Facebook called "Facebook Gold".
Published: 22nd February 2010
Indian Department of Revenue Tax Refund ScamEmail purporting to be from India's Department of Revenue claims that the recipient can apply for a tax refund of 820.50 Rupees by submitting an attached refund form.
Published: 19th February 2010
Bank of America Software Upgrade Phishing ScamEmail, purporting to be from the Bank of America, claims that, due to a planned software upgrade, customers must confirm their banking details online by following a link in the message.
Published: 19th February 2010
Maroochydore High School Answering Machine Message HoaxEmail claims that staff at Maroochydore High School in Queensland, Australia have implemented a sarcastic automated answering service that bluntly points out that teachers are not responsible for the poor behaviour and lack of commitment of students and their parents.
Published: 10th February 2010
ATO Cut Off Taxes Program Phishing Scam EmailEmail, purporting to be from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) claims that the recipient may be eligible for a 19% refund on 2009 taxes if he or she registers online for the Cut Off Taxes Program.
Published: 9th February 2010
National Health Anti-Fraud Association Complaint Scam EmailEmail purporting to be from the National Health Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) claims that a complaint has been made against the recipient and urges him or her to review the complaint details via an attached document.
Published: 9th February 2010
Immigration Quote Wrongly Attributed to Sir Edmund BartonEmail with an old photograph of a leader addressing a crowd claims that a speech on the assimilation of immigrants included in the message was made by Australia's first Prime Minister Sir Edmund Barton in 1907.
Published: 5th February 2010
Automation Labs Facebook Privacy Warning HoaxMessages circulating on Facebook claim that by entering 'automation labs' in the "Block People" search function of Facebook's privacy settings will reveal a list of people who have access to your Facebook account and should be blocked individually so that they cannot spy on you.
Published: 4th February 2010
Gordon Brown Smiling Virus HoaxMessage claims that emails featuring photographs of British Prime Minister Gordon Brown smiling contain a dangerous computer virus that will crash your computer and damage it beyond repair.
Published: 3rd February 2010
Hitman Payoff Scam EmailEmail claims that the sender has been paid to kill you but he will cancel the contract if you pay him a large sum of money.
Updated: 31st January 2010
Craigslist Account Phishing ScamEmail, purportedly from online classifieds website Craigslist, claims that the recipient's Craigslist account has been blocked and he or she must follow a link in the message to confirm account details.
Published: 30th January 2010
Giant George - Huge Great DaneEmail claims that attached photographs show "Giant George" a massive 7ft-long (2.13 meters) blue great dane that lives in Tuscon, Arizona.
Published: 29th January 2010
Facebook Unnamed App Internal Spybot WarningMessage circulating on Facebook warns that users should delete a Facebook application labelled "Unnamed app" because it is an "internal spybot" that can make Facebook runs more slowly than usual.
Published: 28th January 2010
False Rumours Claim That Facebook is About to Start Charging UsersRumours circulating via social networking websites and email claim that Facebook will soon begin charging members a monthly fee for use of its services.
Published: 27th January 2010
What Is A Golf Ball Worth? - Alligator Takes Golfer's Arm PhotographsEmail claims that attached photographs depict a golfer whose arm was bitten off by an alligator when he attempted to retrieve his ball from an on course pond. (Warning: Graphic images)
Published: 27th January 2010
Australian Tax Refund Scam EmailEmail, purporting to be from the Australian Taxation Office, claims that the recipient can receive a large tax refund by clicking a link in the message and filling out a web based form.
Updated: 22nd January 2010
Facebook Friend Reported You Virus WarningMessage warns that bogus Facebook notifications claiming that you have been reported by a friend for being offensive or for terms of service violations link to a computer virus.
Published: 16th January 2010
See Through Tyres - Radical New Tyre Design PhotographsEmail claims that a series of attached photographs show a radical new airless car tyre design being developed by Michelin that will soon be on the market.
Published: 8th January 2010
Missing Child Alerts - Ashley Lewis Missing From Kannapolis North CarolinaMessages claim that 14 year old Ashley Lewis is missing from Kannapolis, in the American state of North Carolina.
Published: 6th January 2010
Facebook Charging 14.99 Per Month Warning MessageMessage warning that a Facebook group that protests against a supposed charge of $14.99 per month for Facebook services has links that point to a malicious website.
Published: 1st January 2010
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