Climate scientists targeted for fraud (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

Fraudsters are targeting climate scientists with fake conferences in a bid to make cash and obtain details.

Scientists are sent e-mail invitations and directed to a fake conference website - often written using language taken from real scientific meetings.
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One currently live website advertises a conference in Febuary, run by the "Global Warming Volunteer Group" and claiming to "focus on the risks and opportunities posed to society by global warming and... promote the exchange of ideas and learning across the Globe".
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The design of the website closely matches that of another supposed London-based conference, this time organised by the "Climate Change Working Group", scheduled for late January at an address in North London that is actually a pet shop.
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UK phone numbers given in the scams typically begin with 0702 or 0844, which re-direct elsewhere.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12219472

[guardian]

1. These 411/419 scammers

are the bane of the cyberage. What constantly surprises me is that apparently enough people get suckered in to the scams to keep the scammers in business.

The first clue that it's a scam is "Typically they are told their travel costs will be refunded - but they have to pay first to reserve a hotel room." It's like the numerous Irish or Chinese lotteries I've won. I can collect $10 million; I only have to pay an up front administrative fee of $5000 to collect.

You might want to visit this site for some good generalized information on recognizing and reporting scams: http://www.consumerfraudreporting.org/reporting.php




If you are so inclined to take a little revenge on the scammers you might enjoy http://www.419eater.com/. If you really have a sick, twisted, and vulgar mind you may enjoy reading the trials of one man's attempt to mess with the scammers even more than they mess with everyone else: http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com/ (warning this site is not for the faint of heart...verrrrrrry politically incorrect and vulgar, but immensely funny)

[eppur_se_muova]

2. Thanks for the "fighting back" links. nt