“Are you available” scam (1/17/19)
The following scam is intended to trick its victims into communicating with the scammer; who will subsequently attempt to ask the victims into buying gift cards, wiring money, or perform other types of financial transactions. Notice the non-VCU email address, generic language, and abnormal request; all of which are signs of a scam. Please delete this message if you received it.
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Date: Thu, Jan 17, 2019, 5:44 PM
Subject: Re: The Dean
To: YYYYYYYY
Okay, My schedule is very tight and I need you to help me run an urgent errand..Can you help me get an amazon gift card online ? I’m still at the meeting,I will reimburse you when I get to office.I Need it sent to my neice who is celebrating her birthday today,Can you help me with this ?
I was on my way home, but I just turned around and parked. Let me know how I can help. I am standing by.On Thu, Jan 17, 2019, 5:41 PM Jean Giddens <xxxxxxxx.vcu@gmail.com wrote:I’m in a meeting and that’s why i’m contacting you through here.I should have called you, but I can’t receive calls during the meeting.I don’t know when the meeting will be rounding up And i want you to help me out on something very important right now..Thanks
On Thu, 17 Jan 2019 at 11:39 PM, YYYYYYYY <yyy@vcu.edu> wrote:Do you want me to call you?On Thu, Jan 17, 2019, 5:39 PM YYYYYYYY <yyy@vcu.edu wrote:Yes, I’m available.On Thu, Jan 17, 2019, 5:03 PM Jean Giddens <xxxxxxxx@gmail.com wrote:Hi are you available?—
XXXX XXXXXXXX, Ph.D. <Redacted>
Professor and <Redacted>
XXXXXXX Endowed XXXX<Address redacted>, Room <Redacted>
PO Box <Redacted>
Richmond, VA 23<reacted>