Same ol' spam, but different

So the same scam has been sent to me again (well, the Adobe version this time, not the Skype one). This scam has been around often and long enough (already back in 2010!, prior to them stealing my identity for one of the scam runs) that it has a Snopes page.

The updated spam, which I received a couple of days ago, again invents new versions of the adobe products that don’t exist. This time it’s Adobe 2012, and they are “charging” (i.e. stealing your details) for Adobe reader – which is always free.

This is what the scam looks like (and please don’t go to the links in the scam unless you know what you are doing) – although the mailout redirect goes through a third party, so the links have a landing page which collects usage information before sending you to the scam landing page. The scam landing page then takes you to the scam page proper that takes your money.

[sourcecode language=”html”]
INTRODUCING UPGRADED ADOBE ACROBAT READER 2012

Adobe is pleased to announce new version upgrades for Adobe Acrobat Reader

http://www.adobe-upgrade-2012.com

Advanced features include:

– Collaborate across borders
– Create rich, polished PDF files from any application that prints
– Ensure visual fidelity
– Encrypt and share PDF files more securely
– Use the standard for document archival and exchange

To upgrade and enhance your work productivity today, go to:

http://www.adobe-upgrade-2012.com

Start downloading the update right now and let us know what you think about it.

We’re working on making Adobe Acrobat Reader better all the time !

Copyright 2011 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.

Adobe Systems Incorporated
343 Preston Street
Ottawa, ON K1S 1N4
Canada
[/sourcecode]

So the main difference that I’ve noticed with the scam is that this time they’ve used some extra money (also presumably stolen) to pay for the site whois to not be shown:

Domain Name:adobe-upgrade-2012.com
Record created:11/29/2011
Record expired:11/29/2012


Domain servers in listed order:
	 ns1.dns-diy.net 	 ns2.dns-diy.net

Administrat:
   name-- Domain ID Shield Service
   org-- Domain ID Shield Service CO., Limited
   country-- CN
   province-- Hong Kong
   city-- Hong Kong
   address-- 1102-1103,11/F,Kowloon Bldg.,555 Nathan Rd.,Mongkok,Kowloon
   postalcode-- 999077
   telephone-- +852.22060092
   fax-- +852.30030133
   E-mail-- ad4561094151701@domainidshield.com
Technical Contact:
   name-- Domain ID Shield Service
   org-- Domain ID Shield Service CO., Limited
   country-- CN
   province-- Hong Kong
   city-- Hong Kong
   address-- 1102-1103,11/F,Kowloon Bldg.,555 Nathan Rd.,Mongkok,Kowloon
   postalcode-- 999077
   telephone-- +852.22060092
   fax-- +852.30030133
   E-mail-- ad4561094473302@domainidshield.com
Billing Contact:
   name-- Domain ID Shield Service
   org-- Domain ID Shield Service CO., Limited
   country-- CN
   province-- Hong Kong
   city-- Hong Kong
   address-- 1102-1103,11/F,Kowloon Bldg.,555 Nathan Rd.,Mongkok,Kowloon
   postalcode-- 999077
   telephone-- +852.22060092
   fax-- +852.30030133
   E-mail-- ad4561094473303@domainidshield.com
Registrant Contact:
   name-- Domain ID Shield Service
   org-- Domain ID Shield Service CO., Limited
   country-- CN
   province-- Hong Kong
   city-- Hong Kong
   address-- 1102-1103,11/F,Kowloon Bldg.,555 Nathan Rd.,Mongkok,Kowloon
   postalcode-- 999077
   telephone-- +852.22060092
   fax-- +852.30030133
   E-mail-- ad4561094539504@domainidshield.com

Despite this, it all does look very very similar and the one thing that cannot be hidden is the creation date of the URL. It is always a giveaway that if a website is contacting you unsolicited, and asks for your money from a web domain that has been put together in the last few days, they are up to no good.

Spam irony, and the same scammers are still out there

In a twist of irony, I have now been sent the same type of spam as the one that was created using my stolen credit card details and name earlier this year.

This time, the content of the spam is (with extra spaces in the URLs to break them):
[sourcecode language=”html”]
Dear Shawn Sijnstra,

This is to notify that new updates have been released for Skype.

http://www. official – skype – update.com/

Following are major new features :

* Up to 5-way group video call.
* Redesigned calling experience.
* Improved video snapshots gallery.
* Improved browser plugins performance on some websites.
* Reduced false positives on browser plugin phone number recognition.
* New presence icons.
* Improved handling of calling attempts made when the user has run out of credit.
* Improved access to sharing functionality

To download the latest version , go to :

http://www. official – skype – update.com/

Start downloading the update right now and let us know what you think
about it.

Talk soon,

The people at SkypeUnsubscribe (http://jenadyco.offthepageemarketing.com.au/unsubscribe.php?cid=145&pid=755316&auth=13b78fdbd9b406c40959611b276d3546&upw=)
[/sourcecode]

It would appear to be the same group as the whois record for the address is registered in the same way, with the same or similar registrar, with the same fields used and a very similar address used. I have left the name of the registrant out for obvious reasons:

% By submitting a query to RU-CENTER's Whois Service
% you agree to abide by the following terms of use:
% http://www.nic.ru/about/servpol.html (in Russian)
% http://www.nic.ru/about/en/servpol.html (in English).

Domain name:             OFFICIAL-SKYPE-UPDATE.COM
Name Server:             ns1.official-skype-update.com 122.224.4.108
Name Server:             ns2.official-skype-update.com 122.224.4.108
Creation Date:           2011.09.27
Updated Date:            2011.09.28
Expiration Date:         2012.09.27

Status:                  DELEGATED

Registrant ID:           QH9BLSG-RU
Registrant Name:         
Registrant Organization: 
Registrant Street1:      1039 Avenue Street
Registrant City:         New York
Registrant Postal Code:  10023
Registrant Country:      US

Administrative, Technical Contact
Contact ID:              QH9BLSG-RU
Contact Name:            
Contact Organization:    
Contact Street1:         1039 Avenue Street
Contact City:            New York
Contact Postal Code:     10023
Contact Country:         US
Contact Phone:           +1 800 2379293
Contact E-mail:          adobe@awssportswear.com

Registrar:               Regional Network Information Center, JSC dba RU-CENTER

Last updated on 2011.09.28 10:34:48 MSK/MSD

The individual whose name was used has a much more common name so hopefully does not have the same issues I have.