Yet another email scam--this one with a .dot file attached

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With several email accounts and having the same ones for more than 10 years each, I pretty much get every email scam attempt known to mankind. Today, I got one that looked nothing like the thousands of scams in the past. I have copy/pasted it below.

The big difference with this one is it is not asking me to log into a fake PayPal, bank or any other account. It's not asking me for a reply (yet) or asking me for more information.

The big difference with this one is the alleged Vasbinder.doc that is supposedly attached except it's not a Vasbinder.doc, it's a Vasbinder.dot (with a T) and in the email, the scammer says there is a password that has to be entered.

I Googled the entire email and various parts of it looking for anyone else that has written about this scam but I haven't found anyone else.

Being the curious type, I tried to open the word.dot file in Google Docs (so I didn't have to download or open it on my computer) and Google Docs would not open it.

Once again, being the curious type, I think I'm going to reply to the sender acting like I'm falling for their scam, just to see what their next step is going to be.

I left the typos and obvious foreign language syntax in the below email. The P. O. Box is from many, many years ago but was legit at one time.

I'll update as I learn more from this scammer--but in the meantime, do NOT open an alleged word document with .dot as the ending. I did find this website explaining how .dot files are used to then take over your computer as ransomware, where the scammers will release your computer after you pay their "fee" (a/k/a ransom).

https://howtoremove.guide/dot-file-extension-ransomware-virus-removal/

Elvia Carles

Attachments 3:36 PM (4 hours ago)

to me

Greetings!

I have a quite delicate question, which deals directly to you. Don't be surprised how do I know you! The matter is that I have received already a second message from the person, I do not know which claims that you are engaged in fraud. He says, that you forced him transfer funds on your PayPal account under fictional reason. Andwith this information he specified your private information up to address:

Leonard Vasbinder

Post Office Box 850888

New Orleans

La

70185

Now he is collecting data and planing to go to the police. I suggest you to view the information that he is sending to me. I have attached Vasbinder.doc with a copy of all of his messages.

Document was encrypted - 4807

Please explain to me what's happening. I think that all of this was a absurd mistake.

Sincerely,

Elvia Carles

Announcing "Lenny The Computer Guy - Computer Tutoring, Repair And Malware Cleaning Services"

This will be my new blog for all of my past and future computer related blogs since I'm starting my new business.

http://LennyTheComputerGuy.blogspot.com
Here's a copy of my first Craigslist Ad for my services...

Do You Need Help With Your Computer Or Most Common Programs?

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Are you having trouble learning the basics or do you need help cleaning up your computer from spyware, viruses, etc?

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your computer or computer problems? Is it running slow or causing you more problems than you like?

I can help you in your home or office, days, evenings, nights or weekends.... or we can meet at a free public wi-fi hotspot like the Jefferson Parish Public Library (W. Napoleon between Clearview and Transcontinental), a coffee shop, etc., if that would be more convenient for you.

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Most folks like one-on-one help instead of attending a class or reading a book.

I can also teach you how to use the popular search engines so you get better search results.

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Here's my computer related blogs if you want to read some of my articles that I've written over the past ten years, mainly to help other people in many of the computer help forums. http://lennythecomputerguy.blogspot.com/  AND http://lennyvasbinder.blogspot.com/search/label/Computers

As you'll see, my computer related blogs go back to 2005, which is when I started it. Prior to this, I had a GeoCities website but Yahoo shut down GeoCities so I've moved a lot of my content to my blogs now.

I can also teach you how to surf the internet more safely, teach you how to do internet searches and get more successful results, etc.

I can diagnose and fix some computer issues although I'm ot a certified computer repair technician. I have upgraded RAM on my computer, clean them on a regular basis to remove dust and dirt buildup from the inside, fans, etc., so your computer will run more efficiently and not be subjected to overheating issues which will then cause a computer to have many other problems, including shutting down, blue screen errors, etc.

I've been computer literate for more than a decade and have been helping friends and relatives and helping in online forums and Yahoo Groups for the past decade but I've never really done this as a business before but I'm suffering from an injury right now so I can't do my normal work so I thought I'd give this a try and see if I can help people and help myself at the same time. I've been doing it for free for so long, I don't know how much to charge so my rates will probably be low while I'm getting started building this new small business.

I'm thinking $30.00 for the first two hours or $50.00 for four hours... of in home/office help. After that, I can probably give you lower priced one on one help via phone, instant messaging or email (don't worry... I'll help you learn how to email and instant message also, if you don't already know how) or if you need follow-up in home/office help, I'll keep the initial rates the same, regardless to whether I go up on my rates later as I get more customers.

Send me an email or give me a call and let me see if I can help you out... while you help me grow my new business! I'll try to make this a win-win situation!

Also, if you are on a fixed income or you are having financial difficulties, I may be able to give you a discount or give you more of my time for my already low rates.

Lenny Vasbinder
http://lennythecomputerguy.blogspot.com/
Phone - 504-667-5111
Skype - LennyTheComputerGuy
Yahoo Msgr. - LennyTheComputerGuy
Email - LennyTheComputerGuy@gmail.com