Email

[kalia3333 1]

For the last week or so I have been getting emails from someone claiming to be an immigration attorney at the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana claiming they are reviewing my husbands visa denial. They were BSing me telling me they will review my case and get my hubby here. They knew our names as well which was odd. From the first email I knew it was fake. I sent it to my lawyer and he agreed. Anyways the person kept asking from my marriage certificate, spouses police report, and a few other items the NVC asks for. I played with the person initially to see what they would say. Than today my lawyer emailed me and said the USCIS, etc investigated it and called it a Nigerian-style 419 Scam. Anyone else seen this? How they get my husband and Is name, etc.

Looking for some insight. Thanks

Also another odd thing, I offered them money initailly and they declined. I have googled this and found others like it as well.

Edited April 19, 2010 by kalia3333

[Minya's wife 25]

For the last week or so I have been getting emails from someone claiming to be an immigration attorney at the US Embassy in Accra, Ghana claiming they are reviewing my husband’s visa denial. They were BSing me telling me they will review my case and get my hubby here. They knew our names as well which was odd. From the first email I knew it was fake. I sent it to my lawyer and he agreed. Anyways the person kept asking from my marriage certificate, spouse’s police report, and a few other items the NVC asks for. I played with the person initially to see what they would say. Than today my lawyer emailed me and said the USCIS, etc investigated it and called it a Nigerian-style 419 Scam. Anyone else seen this? How they get my husband and I’s name, etc.

Looking for some insight. Thanks

Also another odd thing, I offered them money initailly and they declined. I have googled this and found others like it as well.

Why would you offer them money if you suspected fraud?

[kalia3333 1]

I was just trying to see what they were saying as I initially thought it was an Embassy employee and was going to turn them in.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Do either of you ( especially him ) use a public computer in communicating ? Key loggers are almost always on public computers in west Africa , they harvest everything people type into them and glean through them to find info for scams.

[kalia3333 1]

'NigeriaorBust - I was waiting on your reply. You always have the answers. My husband used too. It is just wierd they knew our names denial. Etc. He goes to the cafe with his computer tho sometimes. Mostly get online from home.

[Matana74 0]

That is exactly what I was going to say…when my husband goes to the café to chat with me I always tell him to be sure to log out completely. Even if time runs out and the computer shuts “off” if my husband did not log out completely the next person who buys café time and uses that computer will be able to have access to his information. It doesn’t always happen this way but more often during the busy hours of the café.

It is the sole job of some scammers to bounce from computer to computer in the café. When I was in Ghana my husband took me to a café so that I can check my work emails…and he was showing me this…on that day there were 2 women and 3 men doing this…

So just make sure when your husband is using the café that when his time comes to 1 min that he logs out and that he can just be sure before he leaves the café.

[kalia3333 1]

Montana, if he is using his own labtop does it matter? Honestly he probably has not used the computers at the cafe in over a year. Nine times out of ten he is using his labtop at home. It is just one thing after another it seems.

Edited April 19, 2010 by kalia3333

[kalia3333 1]

Montana , I just saw your case was finally forwarded to the embassy on Friday. Congrats!

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

If he is using a laptop was he locked down his router or is he borrowing someone else s connection ? Ppeople can break in through there. Because visas from 3rd world countries are very valuable people will do a lot to get information on people that getting one. Keyloggers are a popular tool, They are put on the machine like a virus but they track everything you type and the person that owns the logger can harvest the info. Have him go to Spybot search and destroy and run that and see what he has that he doesn't know about on his machine. You may want to try it also , you would be surprised at who is watching your online activity

[Dina-Rich 0]

I found out one day when I did a google search on my name that my information from Visa journey came up! Maybe there is a public information that lawyers can access to get leads for cases?

[reeses16 8]

Maybe there is a public information that lawyers can access to get leads for cases?

No.

Also, you should change your name on VJ (or any other public forum that you use). I believe you can only change it on VJ once in a year (with the changes to the site, I'm not sure if there is still a restriction). If its there for the public to see, its there for immigration officers to see if they decide to take a closer look at your and your fiancee.

Its not a good idea to bait people and see what they say especially if its immigration related. You never know who you are really talking to, it could come back on you.

Edited April 24, 2010 by reeses16

[kalia3333 1]

Reeses, the board admin never answers my emails! Any sugestions. Also whats the point in changeing my name when you can just click and see it. I am scanning my computer daily. Now if the board admin would ever reply to another request.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

I don't think it is a VJ issue. I think that one of the computers had tracking software installed. Did your scans come up with any malware?

[Otto 83]

** Just an FYI - I've asked Captain Ewok (our Admin) to look into this.

[Ban Hammer 13,399]

Reeses, the board admin never answers my emails! Any sugestions. Also whats the point in changeing my name when you can just click and see it. I am scanning my computer daily. Now if the board admin would ever reply to another request.

i'm wondering if your other half may have been using a cybercafe to have conversations with you. places like that may have all kinds of malware on their computers, to include keyloggers. if your scans are not turning up anything, odds are the information was snagged in a cybercafe across the pond and is being staged from there.

i run 2 different anti-spyware programs, a firewall, and an antivirus and i've never had anything come up on vj.