filename: cb2Sep15.doc
Camille P. Balagtas
People's TONIGHT
Sept. 15, 2002
E MAIL SCAM NOW USING SENATORS
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An email scam on the internet hopes to victimize their email recipients promising them a share of the plunder looted by prominent public officials.
The latest public official to become the instrument of such a scam was Senator Luisa "Loi" Ejercito Estrada whose name is being used by an organized syndicate in order to fool people for an alleged share of the loot of the recently deposed President Estrada
Using a fictitious email addres which was Louisa Estrada -louis-strada@ fastermail.com, the letter says that Senator Estrada is badly in need of money in order to recover the money which she placed abroad amounting to US$8.540 M.
The syndicate also tries to capitalize on the plight of the plight of former President Joseph Estrada , obviously to get the sympathy of their victims.
The letter was quoted alleged Sen. Estrada as saying: " I wish to discuss how much I will offer you if you will be willing to assist me claim the money and invest it in your country. I want to assure you that all modalaities are put in place for a safe transfer into your account."
"I'm trusting you as a God fearing person who will not sit on my life saving fund. This business demands absolute secrecy and confidentiality, thus all communications for now should be through e-mail because all my phone lines are connected to the Philippine's telecommunication network services and security service."
The syndicate using Estrada's name also obliged that the said addressee send back her full name and complete address and bank account information in order to be entitled as a legitimate beneficiary of the so called share.
Sen. Estrada spokesperson Crispin Remulla confirmed that it was the second time they encountered the anomalous letter allegedly from the Senator.
According to Remulla, this letter originally came from a syndicate operating in Nigeria and victimizing mostly Filipino sympathizers abroad in order to extract money from them.
"Karamihan sa mga ito mga Pinoy na rin na ginagamit ang ilan sa ating mga opisyal para makakuha ng pera sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino na naninirahan na sa abroad." Remulla divulged.
It was also learned that most of the victims are domestic helpers from Hongkong who are being lured with promises of getting back their money with interest.
"Nag umpisa muna ata ito sa sulat tapos ngayon sa e mail na kung saan ay pinaiikot ang biktima para maglabas ng kanilang pera. Ang masakit ginagamit ang pangalan ng ating mga opisyal gaya ni Sen. Estrada na talagan nagulat din ng malaman na ginagamit siya ng mga ito." Remulla added.
People's TONIGHT learned that the syndicate is asking between $5000 to $10,000 as representation money to get the loot out and in return they will be getting an amount of $1M dollars with the promise of money back guarantee.///camille p. balagtas
