Internet and email Hoax-MUST READ
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Issue 55: October, 2005
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This month in Hoax-Slayer:
[1] *Help Burned Baby Alexandra Email*
[2] *Giant New Orleans Crocodile Hoax Email*
[3] *HIV Infected Needles on UK Cinema Seats Hoax*
[4] *MSN 18 Contacts Hoax*
[5] *Gang Member Hidden in Back Seat Myth*
[6] *Free Sainsbury's Gift Voucher Hoax*
[7] *Take Care With Email Signatures*
[8] *Sony Ericsson Phone Giveaway Hoax*
[9] *Computer Tricks and Tips - Excellent Yahoo Group*
[10] *Sony PSP Giveaway Hoax Email*
[11] *Hoax-Slayer Happenings*
[12] *Hoax-Slayer Humour: VIRUS ALERT Joke*
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[1] *Help Burned Baby Alexandra Email*
The core information in the email forward shown below is true.
According to information from a Polish news source, in June 2005
14-month-old Ola Kuczma of Poland was seriously injured in a fire
in her parent's wooden house. The baby's bed was engulfed in
flames and her hair began to burn. Thankfully, her parents were
able to rescue the child at the last minute and doctors in Cracow
managed to save her life. At the time of writing (October 2005)
Ola is apparently making progress, but will need further medical
treatment. Full recovery and rehabilitation is likely to be a long
process.
The email identifies the child as "Alexandra". "Ola" is simply a
Polish diminutive form of the first name "Aleksandra".
While the case is real, the claim that "3 cents" will be donated
each time the email is forwarded is pure nonsense. In other words,
some heartless individual has turned a genuine tragedy into a
pointless hoax email that will most probably continue to circulate
for months or years to come. Forwarding the email will do nothing
to help little Ola or her family.
According to Filip Gralinski of Galeria Listow-Lancuszkow, the
original version of the email was quite legitimate and included
a bank account number that recipients could use in order to donate
money to Ola's parents. He explains that in subsequent versions of
the email, the legitimate bank account information was deleted and
replaced with the absurd claim that Ola's parents will get 3 grosz
(about 1 US cent) for each copy of the e-mail forwarded. Some
versions of the message claim that scripts included in the email
allow the donation system to work. This is completely untrue.
The legitimate bank account number was also given on Polish
television and is still available on the TV station's website.
Those with a genuine interest in helping Ola's parents may still
be able to offer assistance via the information on the television
website. However, forwarding the email in its current form will
not help Ola's parents.
Most news references to Ola's situation are in Polish. However,
Filip Gralinski has included some information about Ola in
English on his website. Filip Gralinski greatly assisted me
during the research of this article by translating information
about Ola into English so that I could understand it.
References:
Chirurg uratowal Oli zycie:
http://tinyurl.com/9oy8g
Olenka znów bedzie sliczna
http://tinyurl.com/9c3h5
Polish Television website
http://tinyurl.com/7mmfv
Galeria Listow-Lancuszkow (Chain-Letter Gallery)
http://www.atrapa.net/chains/
Information about Ola in Polish
http://atrapa.net/chains/ola.htm
Information about Ola in English
http://atrapa.net/chains/olaen.htm
**** Begin Email Copy ****
Dear All,
Alexandra came out of a rigging fire alive, but now has to
fight for her life and a normal future.
She is 14 months old and she has burnt skin all over her body,
damage facial bones (as a result of very high temperature). She
does not have half of her face. She is in hospital in Cracow -
Poland and one of the best specialist is looking after her.
However she still has to go through many surgeries and then
long rehab. Unfortunately her parents do not have any more
money. Therefore we are asking for your help.
For each forwarded email her parents will get 3 cents. Please
help them and forward that email to as many people as you can.
NOTE:
To see the photograph of Ola that comes with the email, access
the online version of the newsletter here:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html
<a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html">CLICK</a
*** End Email Copy ****
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[2] *Giant New Orleans Crocodile Hoax Email*
The photographs that arrive with the email forward shown below
supposedly depict a giant man-eating crocodile caught swimming
the flooded streets of New Orleans in the wake of destruction
caused by 2005's Hurricane Katrina. The photographs are real.
However, they were not taken in New Orleans. The images were
displayed on various websites such as markhope.com and began
circulating around the Internet via email and online forum posts
long before Hurricane Katrina struck.
Apparently, the photographs were actually taken in Pointe Noire,
Republic of the Congo, during 2003. The original email message is
very similar to the current version, except that the prankster has
relocated the action to New Orleans rather than Africa. According
to an article discussing the original message on About.com,
information about this giant crocodile was published on July 17,
2003 in La Semaine Africaine, a French language Congolese
magazine.
Also, it appears that the length, weight and age of the reptile
are exaggerated in both the original Pointe Noire version of the
email and the 2005 New Orleans mutation.
The About.com article notes that the magazine story records the
crocodile as measuring 5 meters (around 16 feet) and weighing 850
kilos (around 1,874 lbs). The animal's age is estimated to be
around 50 years rather than 80 years as claimed in the messages.
The animal depicted is a Nile crocodile. Nile crocodiles are
found across a large portion of Africa (but certainly not the
New Orleans region) and do indeed grow to enormous sizes.
According to an article on the Crocodilian Species website,
Crocodylus niloticus has an average adult length of around
5 meters (about 16 feet) and has been reported as reaching 6
meters (around 19 feet) in rare cases. The article notes:
There are dubious reports of 7 m animals having existed,
but these are hard to verify.
A Wikipedia entry about Nile crocodiles concurs:
Seven meter (23 ft) and larger specimens have been reported,
but since gross overestimation of size is common these reports
are suspect.
Thus, while the photographs depict a real animal, it is probably
not as large as claimed in the email message and it was certainly
not "found in New Orleans swimming down the street"
References:
MarkHope.Com - Form Of Email - Need A Hand Bag?.....
http://tinyurl.com/b3rf9
Guess Who's Coming To Dinner.....I am Not A Geek Forums
http://forum.iamnotageek.com/t-185333.html
The Monster Crocodile of Pointe-Noire
http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_pointe_noire_croc6.htm
Crocodilian Species - Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
http://tinyurl.com/bfdfo
Wikipedia: Nile Crocodile
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nile_Crocodile
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
Subject: Wow, Now this is a big crocodile
Believe it or not!
Now this is a Crocodile!
This crocodile was found in New Orleans swimming down the street.
21 FT long, 4,500 lbs, around 80 years old minimum.
Specialists said that he was looking to eat humans because he was
too old to catch animals. This crocodile was killed by the army
last Sunday at 3:00 pm, currently he is in the freezer at the Azur
hotel. The contents of its stomach will be analyzed this Friday
at 2:30pm
NOTE:
To see the photographs that comes with the email, access
the online version of the newsletter here:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html
<a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html">CLICK</a
**** End Hoax Copy ****
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[3] *HIV Infected Needles on UK Cinema Seats Hoax*
The hoax message shown below is just one in a long line of similar
hoaxes. From time to time, a new version emerges, often localized
to suit a particular area of the world.
This version is set in the UK and tries to back up its spurious
claims by stating that the message originated at the National
Health Service (NHS) website. However, a search of the NHS website
reveals no such warning. The message also claims that the report
has been confirmed by the "Centres for Disease Control", supposedly
located in Birmingham. However, the UK based Centre for Infections,
which is part of the Health Protection Agency, makes no mention of
HIV infected needles being deliberately left on cinema seats.
The US based Centres for Disease Control (CDC) *does* make mention
of the claims in an article about HIV related rumours. The CDC
notes that:
CDC has received inquiries about a variety of reports or
warnings about used needles left by HIV-infected injection
drug users in coin return slots of pay phones, the underside of
gas pump handles, and on movie theater seats. These reports and
warnings have been circulated on the Internet and by e-mail and
fax. Some reports have falsely indicated that CDC "confirmed"
the presence of HIV in the needles. CDC has not tested such
needles nor has CDC confirmed the presence or absence of HIV in
any sample related to these rumors. The majority of these reports
and warnings appear to have no foundation in fact.
According to the article, used needles are sometimes discarded in
areas where they could potentially cause harm to the public. It is
certainly possible that some heinous individual might deliberately
leave a syringe in a place where it could cause injury to an
unsuspecting member of the public. However, there is no evidence that
a deliberate campaign to infect cinemagoers with HIV is taking place
in the UK or anywhere else in the world.
The hoax also mentions that the message "was sent from hanley police
station". Hanley is a town in Staffordshire, England. However, the
Staffordshire Police have denied the claims in an official website
article. The article states that they have received no reports about
a visitor to a cinema being injured by a needle left on the seat.
According to a Stoke-on-Trent Police spokesman quoted in the article:
We have received no such reports, and we believe that this
e-mail has been written to cause fear and alarm to members of
the public. I urge members of the public not to send this
e-mail on to others and to simply delete it. We have made
contact with the organisations mentioned in the e-mail and none
are aware of any such incident.
Other versions of this hoax claim that HIV infected needles have
been deliberately left on gas pump handles. There have been US,
Canadian, Australian and French versions of the hoax as well as the
UK based version discussed here.
These emails should be deleted rather than forwarded.
References:
NHS Website:
http://www.nhs.uk/
Centre for Infections:
http://www.phls.co.uk/cfi/default.htm
CDC Article:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faq/hoax1.htm
Staffordshire Police Disclaimer:
http://tinyurl.com/95o44
Other Versions of the Hoax:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/hiv-needle-hoax.html
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
This message is serious and has been passed to us from Cheshire
RFU.
Could you please cascade as quickly as possible as this came
through our NHSweb page.
For your information, a couple of weeks ago, in the odeon
cinema, Festival Park, a person sat on something sharp in one
of the seats. When she stood up to see what it was, a needle
was found poking through the seat with an attached note saying,
"you have been infected with HIV". The Centres for Disease
Control in Birmingham, reports similar events have taken place
in several other cities recently.
ALL of the needles tested HAVE been found positive for HIV.
The CDC also reports that needles have been found in the coin
return areas of pay phones and coke machines. Everyone is asked
to use extreme caution when confronted with these types of
situations. All public chairs should be thoroughly but safely
inspected prior to any use. A thorough visual inspection is
considered the bare minimum. Further more, they ask that everyone
notify their family members and friends of the potential dangers,
as well. The previous information was sent from hanley police
station to all of the local councils in the Staffs area and was
interdepartmentally dispersed.
We were all asked to pass this to as many people as possible.
[Name Removed]
Assistant Health & Safety Adviser
Health & Safety Unit
[Contact details removed]
**** End Hoax Copy ****
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[4] *MSN 18 Contacts Hoax*
The hoax message included below is just one more in a long line
of similar hoaxes that warn that MSN is about to start charging
for its free services. From time to time, pranksters come up with
an updated and equally untrue version of the message that includes
a new deadline set a month or so in the future. Another version
was circulating in August and early September 2005. Earlier
versions have specifically targeted Hotmail users.
If MSN was considering implementing a charge for its standard MSN
Messenger and email services, it would certainly not base its
decision on how many times a silly message was sent to others.
Such claims are simply ridiculous.
The "warning" advises recipients to "go to the site (www.msn.com )
and see for yourself". However, there is nothing on the MSN site
that confirms the story in any way.
Like its many predecessors, the message is pure nonsense and
should be deleted rather than forwarded
Other versions:
MSN Messenger 500,000 Signatures Hoax:
http://tinyurl.com/9ftbe
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/9ftbe">AOL CLICK</a>
Hotmail Account Hoax:
http://tinyurl.com/6d6cn
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6d6cn">AOL CLICK</a>
**** Begin Hoax Message ****
On the 1st of november , we will have to pay for the use of
our MSN and email accounts unless we send this message to at
least 18 contacts on your contact list. It's no joke if you
don't believe me then go to the site ( www.msn.com ) and see
for yourself.
Anyways once you've sent this message to at least 18 contacts,
your msn dude will become blue. please copy and paste don't
forward cos people won't take notice of it otherwise plse do
it
**** End Hoax Message ****
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[5] *Gang Member Hidden in Back Seat Myth*
The dubious "warning" included below is a rehashed variant of an
old urban legend that has been passed around since at least the
1960's. The legend of the criminal hiding in the back seat of a
motor vehicle ready to attack the helpless female driver predates
the Internet by decades. In this instance, someone has created a
version of the hoax specifically aimed at Australian recipients.
It is very similar to other versions of the hoax that are set in
the US, Ireland, Canada and various other locations around the
world.
Searches of the Queensland Police Service website reveal no
reports of the incidents described in the warning email. I have
found no credible news reports about such abduction attempts in
Queensland or elsewhere in Australia. If the "gang initiation"
method described in the message was really occurring and was a
matter of police record, it would have almost certainly been
given attention in the mainstream media. Also, if they were true,
warnings about such gang activity would be released via official
channels rather than distributed via the random forwarding of
an email.
Because of this lack of confirmation from any reliable source,
the email warning has very little credibility. Also, the fact
that similar, and equally unsubstantiated, versions have
circulated in different areas of the world for many years
indicates that this Australianised variant is as much a work of
fiction as its predecessors.
Almost all of these stories are inherently sexist in that they
involve an apparently helpless and unobservant female that needs
to be "saved" by a more attentive individual, depicted as male
in most versions. At their core, these stories are just modern
examples of the male-biased "Red-Riding Hood" like folk-tales
that have been told for centuries. Such tales pander to the
traditional gender role models of the female victim, the male
protector and the evil male predator and are underpinned by
overt or covert sexual themes.
Some of the details included in the warning appear to be
manufactured purely to support the narrative. The message claims
that the would-be rapist volunteered information to the police
about his activities and his gang involvement when even the
dumbest of criminals would be highly unlikely to do so. The
potential gang member's "loose lips" would be sure to increase
the attention payed to his gang by the police and would
certainly not make him very popular with his fellow criminals.
Although contrived and logically flawed, the gang member's
admissions are crucial to the tale because they let the reader
know his truly sinister intentions. Without his confession,
the tale loses its impact. The reader could conclude that the
perpetrator may have had a more mundane motive for hiding in
the back seat such as robbery or perhaps even just a desire to
hitch a free ride "up-town".
There are a number of urban legends that involve the supposed
initiation rituals of gang members. Another "gang initiation"
hoax involves gang members driving without headlights and
shooting at any driver who flashes his or her lights at them.
Of course, it is possible that a criminal could hide in a back
seat of a vehicle and attack the driver. In fact an article on
Snopes.com reveals that the legend may have been derived from a
real incident. In 1964, an escaped criminal apparently hid in
the back of a car and was subsequently shot by the car's owner,
a police officer. However, unlike the subsequent stories, the
criminal's motive was apparently just to escape the authorities
and his plans were thwarted decisively by the male driver. In
spite of this tenuous connection to a real event, there is
absolutely no evidence that gang initiation rituals using the
modus operandi described in the message are actually occurring.
Like many urban legends, there is some wisdom hidden among the
nonsense. It is of course advisable for both male and female
drivers to remain vigilant and always lock their vehicles, even
if they are only stepping away for a short time.
References -
Queensland Police Service:
http://tinyurl.com/c2w5e
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/c2w5e">AOL CLICK</a>
Snopes.com Article:
http://tinyurl.com/atb3j
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/atb3j">AOL CLICK</a>
No Headlights Myth:
http://tinyurl.com/83m6q
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/83m6q">AOL CLICK</a>
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
Subject: ***Brisbane Warning - Please read
***WARNING***
Please circulate this following warning to everyone you know.
This actually happened a few weeks ago right here near Fairfield
in Brisbane. It was early evening and a young lady stopped to get
petrol at a Quix. She filled her tank and walked into the store to
pay for her petrol. The cashier told her "Don't pay for your petrol
yet.....walk around the store for a while and act as if you're
picking up some other things to buy. A man just got into the back
of your car. I've called the police and they're on their way".
When the police arrived, they found the man in the back seat of the
girl's car and asked him what he was doing. He replied, he was
joining a gang and the initiation to join is to kidnap a woman and
bring her back to the gang to be raped by every member of the gang.
If the woman was still alive by the time they finish with her then
They let her go. According to the police that night, there is a
new gang forming here originating from Wetherill Park. The scary
part of this is because the guy didn't have a weapon on him the
police could only charge him with trespassing.... He's back on
the street and fee to try again.
Please be aware of what's going on around you and for your family
and friends. LADIES you or one of your family and friends could
be the next victim.
Please forward this on to everyone you know. Please do not discard
this message it is very important that everyone knows what is
happening.
A similar event took place on 7 March 2002 at a 7-Eleven servo in
Wynnum. Please be careful when leaving your vehicle and make sure
it is ALWAYS locked to prevent this from happening to you.
**** End Hoax Copy ****
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[6] *Free Sainsbury's Gift Voucher Hoax*
Sainsbury's is not giving away £60 gift vouchers to those who
forward the message below to ten of their friends.
The silly email message shown below is just one in a long line of
hoaxes that claim free gifts, products or services can be redeemed
simply by forwarding the message to a specified number of people.
This incarnation claims that Sainsbury's is giving away free £60
gift vouches to recipients who send the message to 10 friends. The
claims in the message are untrue and Sainsbury's has denied that
they are running any such promotion. Sainsbury's has the following
information on its website:
We have been made aware of an e-mail which looks like it
originates from Sainsbury's offering customers £60 if they
forward an e-mail to ten friends. This e-mail does not originate
from Sainsbury's, and we are not running such a promotion. We
are currently following this matter up with those responsible
for the original e-mails.
It is highly unlikely that any legitimate company would base a
promotional campaign on the haphazard forwarding of an email message.
Many companies give away vouches or products from time to time as
part of a marketing strategy. However, such giveaways are strictly
controlled and are certainly not contingent upon how many copies of
an email are sent. Any email message that claims the recipient can
get something free in exchange for forwarding the message is almost
certainly a hoax.
If you receive this Sainsbury's voucher hoax, please do not forward
it to others. Email hoaxes like this one do nothing more then waste
bandwidth and clutter inboxes.
References:
Sainsbury's FAQ Page: Spam /Junk Mail
http://tinyurl.com/bl8vq
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/bl8vq">AOL CLICK</a>
Webuser Article: Free Sainsbury's vouchers email hoax:
http://tinyurl.com/bszmz
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/bszmz">AOL CLICK</a>
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
Dear Sainsbury's Shoppers! !
As part of our marketing exercise we will be giving away £60 gift
vouchers. Yes you read it right, Free gift vouchers, no catch.
All you have to do is forward this email on to 10 friends & a copy
to [Email Address Removed] simple as that. Once everyone in your
list has sent 10 emails you will be emailed your £60 voucher which
you can exchange in all Sainsbury's stores.
Thanks for taking part in our exciting new marketing method
Kind Regards, [Contact Details Removed]
**** End Hoax Copy ****
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[7] *Take Care With Email Signatures*
Configuring your email software to automatically add an email
signature to outgoing messages can save time and help to promote
your online "identity".
However, some caution is required when using email signatures.
* Don't include unnecessary personal information
I receive many emails from people that include a worrying amount
of details in the email signature. These details often include
the sender's full name, street address and phone numbers. While
such information may not exactly be secret, blasting it across
the Internet at large is probably not a good idea. Once an email
leaves your inbox, you have no control over where it ends up. If
it is the type of email that is likely to be forwarded, your
personal details may spread far and wide and end up in the evil
clutches of scammers, spammers and other undesirables. If you
run a business and use your email signature for promotion, then
you have a legitimate reason for including your contact details.
However, if you are just sending private email, I'd suggest that
you only include a first name and general locality in your email
signature.
* Ensure that the signature is appropriate for your recipient.
People often include a catchy saying or quote in their signature.
There is even software that can randomly add such snippets. While
this is all well and good, some such signature snippets may be
adult orientated or otherwise inappropriate for certain recipients.
For example, if you are sending a message to an email discussion
group, a signature with "adult" material or a link promoting your
website might break the group rules. Thus, it is always a good
idea to take a few second to check that your outgoing email
signature is appropriate for its intended audience
For other email security articles, see:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/email-security.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/9dmog">AOL CLICK</a>
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[8] *Sony Ericsson Phone Giveaway Hoax*
The email message included below is a hoax.
Sony Ericsson will *not* give the recipient of this email message
a free phone even if he or she does send it to 8 or more people.
Those who send an email to the contact address included in the
message will receive the following automated reply from Sony
Ericsson:
Dear sender,
This message / promotion is not a genuine Sony Ericsson
promotion. We suspect that the people behind this hoax
virus/email campaign hope to obtain and misuse the personal
data of those who participate.
Please do not forward this promotion on.
Kind regards
Press Office
Sony Ericsson
Versions of this aging email hoax have been circulating for several
years. The original incarnation targeted Nokia rather than Ericsson,
but the content of the message was very similar to the example
shown below.
After the Nokia hoax began circulating, someone launched the first
Ericsson version that claimed Ericsson wanted to
"counter" Nokia's offer by giving away free Ericsson phones.
Interestingly, both the Nokia and Ericsson adaptations of the hoax
claim to be endorsed by one "Anna Swelund", or variations such as
"Anna Swelam" and Anna Swelan".
As stated, there are several mutations of this hoax, all of them
equally false. It would be highly unlikely that Ericsson, Nokia,
or any other reputable company, would launch a promotional
campaign based on how many times a particular message was sent
onward. If you receive one of these email hoaxes, please inform
the sender that the message is untrue and do not send it to
others.
References:
Nokia Giveaway Hoax
http://tinyurl.com/529hh
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/529hh">AOL CLICK</a>
Ericsson Free Phone Hoax
http://tinyurl.com/4pmm8
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4pmm8">AOL CLICK</a>
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
Dear All,
Knowing how our young are always on the lookout for an upgrade
to the latest phones why not pass on to all your friends and
relatives the following mail from Sony Erricsson:-
SonyErricsson is giving away phones for free. SonyErricsson is
Trying word-of-mouth advertising to introduce its product and
the reward You receive for advertising for them is a free phone
free of cost.
To receive your free phone all you have to do is to send this
email Out to 8 people (for a free SonyErricsson j200i) or 20
people (for a Free SonyErricsson k400i WAP).
Within 2 weeks you will receive a free phone. (They will contact
you through your e-mail address). Please mark a copy to:
- anna.swelam@sonyerricsson.com
**** End Hoax Copy ****
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[9] *Computer Tricks and Tips - Excellent Yahoo Group*
Over the years, I've been a member of a great many email
discussion groups and even run a few of my own. One of my all
time favourites is Computer Tricks and Tips, a very friendly
and helpful computer support group. I've certainly gained a lot
of invaluable computer knowledge from this group.
The group owners and moderators are exceptionally dedicated and
knowledgeable. They always do their best to help members. I know
that they also spend a lot of time working behind the scenes in
order to ensure that the group runs smoothly.
No matter what your level of computer knowledge, you will be made
to feel welcome. You need never feel apprehensive about asking a
computer related question, however simple. And you may also be
able to use your own computing experience to help other members.
In short, Computer Tricks and Tips is one of the friendliest,
helpful and professionally managed computer discussion groups
around! It is well worth checking out.
Visit Computer Tricks and Tips:
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Computer_tricks_and_tips/
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/5qio">AOL CLICK</a>
<-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><->
HOAX-SLAYER SPONSOR
~~ EDUCATIONAL CREATIVE PUZZLES ~~
Boost creativity, word power and lateral thinking skills
in a fun way, the whole brain way.
http://bluegum.wordjux.hop.clickbank.net
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/8nrn7">CREATIVE PUZZLES</a>
<-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><-><->
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[10] *Sony PSP Giveaway Hoax Email*
The claim made in the email forward shown below is false. Sony
will *not* give you a PSP console just for sending an email
message to 20 people. Sony South Africa has published information
on its website debunking the hoax as quoted below:
Sony South Africa: Urgent Notice - Hoax e-mail PSP GIVEAWAY!!!
It has recently been brought to Sony South Africa's attention
that a hoax e-mail is being circulated offering a free PSP.
Although Sony playstation is distributed by Ster Kinekor in
South Africa, Sony South Africa would like to alert all
customers of this hoax.
Furthermore, the contact email address included in the message
seems to be invalid. Mail sent to the address generates a bounce
message that warns that there is no such mailbox.
The message is just one more in a long line of email hoaxes that
promise free products, services, vouchers or cash in exchange for
forwarding the message. Virtually all such messages are bogus. It
is very unlikely that any legitimate company would base a
promotional giveaway on how many times an email message was sent
to others. While companies do often give away products or services
as part of promotional campaigns, such giveaways are conducted under
controlled conditions. A giveaway based on how many times an email
was forwarded could very quickly spiral out of control. Such
messages can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of recipients
in a comparatively short amount of time. The email does not contain
any time limit or legal restrictions for the supposed giveaway. If
the message was true, Sony could find that they were obligated to
give away many thousands of PSP consoles and the company could
suffer serious financial losses as a result. There is exceptionally
little chance that any genuine company would put itself in such a
financially vulnerable position.
The phrasing of this hoax message is reminiscent of the long
running Nokia Giveaway Hoax and its variants.
These foolish hoax messages waste bandwidth and clutter inboxes
around the world. If you receive such a hoax message, please do
not forward it to others.
References:
Urgent Notice - Hoax e-mail PSP GIVEAWAY!!!
http://www.sony.co.za/about/newsRead.asp?NID=172
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/b226c">AOL CLICK</a>
iafrica.com: PSP giveaway e-mail a hoax
http://games.iafrica.com/news/502223.htm
<a href="http://games.iafrica.com/news/502223.htm">AOL CLICK</a>
**** Begin Hoax Copy ****
Dear all
Sony is giving away PSP consoles "FREE"!! Sony is trying
word-of-mouth advertising to introduce its products. And the
reward you receive for advertising for them is a PSP free of
cost!
To receive your free PSP all you need to do is send this email
out to 20 people for a PSP value pack (see attached picture).
Within 2 weeks you will receive a free PSP!
(They contact you via your email address).
**IMPORTANT You must send a copy to pspgiveaway@sonyworld.com
Kind Regards,
Faheem Mohommed
Sony Head of Marketing
Office Hours: Mon - Fri 08:15 - 16:45
Fri 08:15 - 16:30
Telephone Number: [Removed]
Fax Number: [Removed]
**** End Hoax Copy ****
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[11] *Hoax-Slayer Happenings*
[XP-Tips Website]
My new XP-Tips website is making progress. I've added a number
of new tips to the site during the last month. Also, I have now
created a discussion forum to add some interactivity to the site.
The forum allows site visitors to ask questions about the tips
featured, offer tips of their own or participate in general
discussion.
Visit the XP-Tips Website:
http://www.xp-tips.com/
<a href="http://www.xp-tips.com/">AOL CLICK</a>
Visit the XP-Tips Forum:
http://www.xp-tips.com/phpbb/index.php
<a href="http://www.xp-tips.com/phpbb/index.php">AOL CLICK</a>
[Donations Page]
As mentioned in the last issue, a number of people have contacted
me over the last year or so to ask if they can make a voluntary
financial contribution to help the Hoax-Slayer project. In view
of these requests, a PayPal "Donate" button is now available on
the Hoax-Slayer site. You can visit the donations page via the link
below:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/donate-hoax-slayer.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/b7x3h">AOL CLICK</a>
Thank you very much for all those who were kind enough to support
the Hoax-Slayer project by making a donation over the last few
weeks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[12] *Hoax-Slayer Humour: VIRUS ALERT Joke*
This rather harmless email forward is designed to make fun of the
dire virus hoaxes that often circulate. Perhaps if recipients get
a laugh out of reading this satirical "Virus Alert" email, they
will be less likely to believe and forward the next "serious"
virus hoax that crosses their inboxes.
Unfortunately, if past experience is anything to go by, some will
afford the email only the most cursory of examinations before
forwarding it to all in their address book in the belief that
it is a legitimate warning.
Any virus warning that arrives via email should ideally be
verified at a reputable anti-virus or anti-hoax website before
being forwarded to others.
**** Begin Copy ****
Subj: VIRUS ALERT Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
Warning: There's a new virus on the loose that's worse than
anything I've seen before! It gets in through the power line,
riding on the powerline 60 Hz subcarrier. It works by changing
the serial port pinouts, and by reversing the direction one's
disks spin. Over 300,000 systems have been hit by it here in
Murphy, West Dakota, alone! And that's just in the last 12
minutes.
It attacks DOS, Unix, TOPS-20, Apple-II, VMS, MVS, Multics,
Mac, RSX-11, ITS, TRS-80, and VHS systems.
To prevent the spread of the worm:
1) Don't use the powerline.
2) Don't use batteries either, since there are rumours that
this virus has invaded most major battery plants, and is
infecting the positive poles of the batteries. (You might
try hooking up just the negative pole.)
3) Don't upload or delete or download files.
4) Don't store files on floppy disks or hard disks.
5) Don't read messages. No, not even this one!
6) Don't use serial ports, toasters, modems, or phone lines.
7) Don't use keyboards, screens, electric toothbrushes, or
printers.
8) Don't use switches, CPUs, memories, microprocessors, or
mainframes.
9) Don't use electric lights, electric or gas heat, or
airconditioning, running water, vibrators, writing, fire,
clothing, or the wheel.
I'm sure if we are all careful to follow these 9 easy steps,
this virus can be eradicated, and the precious electronic
fluids of our computers can be kept pure.
**** End Copy ****
-----------------------------------------------------------------
To read a more user-friendly HTML version of this issue follow
the link below:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html
<a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/current-issue.html">CLICK</a>
Did a friend forward you this copy? To get your own free
subscription to Hoax-Slayer, visit:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/
<a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/">CLICK</a>
Stay informed about current virus threats:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/virus-information.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/47ldd">Virus Information</a>
Contact Details - Submissions and Enquiries
*********** IMPORTANT ***********
CONTACT DETAILS:
Please read the information below *before* you send email:
Before asking a question, please check the FAQ page by clicking
the link below. Your email will not receive a reply if your
question has already been effectively answered in the FAQ:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/faq.html
<a href="http://www.hoax-slayer.com/faq.html">AOL CLICK</a>
I do not answer emails pertaining to Nigerian Scams, Lottery
Scams or Phishing Scams. Any information about these types of
scams that I would be able to provide as a reply to your enquiry
has already been included on the Hoax-Slayer website.
Find out more about Nigerian Scams:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/nigerian-scams.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/6kjhm">AOL CLICK</a>
Find out more about Lottery Scams
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/email-lottery-scams.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/72d99">AOL CLICK</a>
Find out more about Phishing Scams
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/phisher-scams.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/7yv2b">AOL CLICK</a>
In order to process the large amount of email I receive, I use
extensive in-box filtering. Therefore, it is important that you
use the appropriate email address below to submit an example or
make an enquiry. Your enquiry will *not* receive a reply if the
wrong email address is used:
Scam and Hoax Examples (I do not reply to examples):
examples@hoax-slayer.com
Questions about Scams and Hoaxes:
questions@hoax-slayer.com
General Questions or Comments about the newsletter or website:
comments@hoax-slayer.com
You may also use the online Contact Form:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/submit-material.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/26w43">AOL CLICK</a>
For Link Exchange Requests go to:
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/link-exchange.html
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/dpv2y">AOL CLICK</a>
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Alternatively, you can visit the special Unsubscribe webpage via
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<http://www.hoax-slayer.com/privacy.html>
_______________________________________________________________
The Hoax_Slayer Newsletter is published by:
Brett M.Christensen
Queensland, Australia
All Rights Reserved
(c) Brett M. Christensen, 2005
<mailto:bchristensen@hoax-slayer.com>
***************************************************************
If you don't subscribe to this newsletter, you just may be gullible to HOAX emails etc!
Ed
From: Hoax-Slayer Newsletter <bchristensen@hoax-slayer.com>
Reply-To: Hoax-Slayer Newsletter <bchristensen@hoax-slayer.com>
To: fedknutson@hotmail.com
Subject: Hoax-Slayer Issue 55 October 2005
Date: Wed, 26 Oct 2005 20:22:01 +1000
