Killer text message scam hits Australia

source: examiner.com July 1 2008

Old scam, new continent.

Australian media reports the text messaging incarnation of the hitman scam recently moved Down Under.

The e-mail stating: "Someone paid me to kill you. If you want me to spare you, I'll give you two days to pay $5,000. If you inform the police or anybody, you will die, I am monitoring you" is now:

"Sum1 paid me 2 kil u. if u wnt me 2 spare u, IL giv u 48hrs 2 pay 5k. if u in4m de 5-o or NEbody, Ull di, Im monitring u."

Or something like that.

One local officer said, "Australians are generally gullible targets. (The scammers) do very well out of us." Announcing that as a cultural trait seems a bit ill-advised.

Anyone experiencing a messy divorce, lawsuit or stalker might find the immediacy of a cell phone message more threatening than e-mail. Someone might really be watching. Except in this case no one is.

The payoff instructions include Western Union wire transfer directions to Thailand.

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Phone extortion attempt unusual: Consumer Protection

source: ABC.net.au July 2 2008

The Office of Consumer Protection says an SMS scam which has targeted dozens of people across the state is the first of its kind in Western Australia.

Police have told people to ignore the messages which say a hit man will kill them unless they send $5,000 by wire transfer to Thailand.

Consumer Protection says it has no evidence anyone has sent money as a result of the messages.

Stephen Meagher from Consumer Protection says SMS messages are an unusual way of trying to extort money.

"This is the first time that we have heard of this extortion type scam through SMS," he said.

"We have previously heard of other extortion type scams in February this year via email but this is defiantly the first SMS.

"It is just a mass circulation, with just random numbers and we are confident that they don't have the personal details of the people."

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"Sum1 paid me 2 kil u. if u wnt me 2 spare u, IL giv u 48hrs 2 pay 5k. if u in4m de 5-o or NEbody, Ull di, Im monitring u."

If I ever receive an sms like this I'd ignore it. People who use this kind of language usually don't have the ability to put their pants on the right way round.

"Sum1 paid me 2 kil u. if u wnt me 2 spare u, IL giv u 48hrs 2 pay 5k. if u in4m de 5-o or NEbody, Ull di, Im monitring u."

If I ever receive an sms like this I'd ignore it. People who use this kind of language usually don't have the ability to put their pants on the right way round.

I get emails in this "code " sometimes ! , it seems the preferred method of payment was W.U, how did they expect to get away with it,..if we see anyone with their pants on back to front well ave em !

Other news reports are saying they’ve stopped the western union account. The name used sounded Nigerian and email address was Khun19

"Sum1 paid me 2 kil u. if u wnt me 2 spare u, IL giv u 48hrs 2 pay 5k. if u in4m de 5-o or NEbody, Ull di, Im monitring u."

If I ever receive an sms like this I'd ignore it. People who use this kind of language usually don't have the ability to put their pants on the right way round.

I think I'd ignore it because I wouldn't be able to translate it anyway.

"Sum1 paid me 2 kil u. if u wnt me 2 spare u, IL giv u 48hrs 2 pay 5k. if u in4m de 5-o or NEbody, Ull di, Im monitring u."

If I ever receive an sms like this I'd ignore it. People who use this kind of language usually don't have the ability to put their pants on the right way round.

5k in sweets, maybe?

Other news reports are saying they've stopped the western union account. The name used sounded Nigerian and email address was Khun19

Or was it coon 19 ?