BDO Email Scam Alert

Banco de Oro sent out a security bulletin to all its customer about a recent internet scam being circulated in emails that is part of a bigger modus operandi.

The scam being circulated through email attempts to lure recipients into giving details of their account and other information so that this may be used as a receiving account to commit the fraud.

This is the content of the email:

MISS. MARY ELLAINE VILLANUEVA
HEAD OFFICE BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK
12 ADB AVENUE, ORTIGAS CENTER, MANDALUYONG CITY
PHILIPPINES.

Good Day,

Let me start by introducing myself, I am Miss. Mary Ellaine Manguerra Villanueva, an ACCOUNTS CLARK with the BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK. I am writing you this letter based on the latest development at my bank which I will like to bring to your personal edification. I am writing you this letter with so much joy and excitement even though my heart goes out to the very powerful and distinguished gentleman who I was fortunate to have worked for and extremely privileged to have known for numerous years. I am an official in charge of client accounts in BANCO DE ORO UNIVERSAL BANK inside the Philippines.

This is a legitimate transaction, and you will be paid 20% for your “Assistance”.If you are interested, please write back by mail and provide me with your confidential telephone number, fax number and email address and I will provide further details and instructions. Please keep this confidential;finally, please note that this must be concluded within two weeks.

I will assume all responsibilities for this endeavor so you don’t have to worry about any legal ramifications, just what you will do with all that money. Your urgent response is highly anticipated so please email me back for more details on this transaction as soon as possible. This should be kept very secret and confidential. I believe you know.

Kind Regards,
Miss. Mary Ellaine Villanueva.

The Modus Operandi

The Fraudster contacts the prospective victim with money-earning opportunities either via spam mails, through the Internet chat rooms, or job search websites whereby the fraudster will convince the victim to supply contact information. Once the victim responds, the fraudster tries to get additional information from the victim in the hope of getting an account related to a target bank.

The victim will receive funds into his account. These funds are stolen by the fraudster from another account or accounts that have been previously compromised.

The victim is then asked to take these funds out of their account and to transfer the amount overseas, typically using wire transfer, leaving a certain percentage to the victim as commission. Cooperating in such an activity is illegal. When caught, victims often have their bank accounts suspended, including their own money.