Thread by @GeoBrentatlarge

Had one of those gift card phishing scams from the "Dean of Science" and decided to have some fun with it. Long thread, some minor editing for length. #PhishingGiftCardScam

It started like this two days ago
:Sent:
December 18, 2019 9:18 AM
To: Brent Ward
Subject: QUICK HELP NEEDED

Are you free now ?

Dr. XXXXX
Dean, of Science

On Wed, Dec 18, 2019 at 10:33 AM Brent Ward <[e-mail]> wrote:
Well I would not say free, I actually cost quite a bit of money.

(just so you know for later, It is not snowing in Vancouver! Just raining heavily)

Sincerely,

Brent

DeanSent: December 20, 2019 9:34 AM
I am currently in a meeting and I don't know when the meeting will round off. I would have call you but phone is not allow. I will want you to handle something for me right away and I will be glad if you can do that for me as soon as possible.

On Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 9:39 AM Brent Ward
For sure Paul!

You know me, would do anything for you! What is up?

Sincerely,

Brent

Please I need you to get Apple iTunes card from any local store, I will reimburse you back when I get back to the office. I need to send it to someone and it is very important. I’m still in a meeting and I need to get it sent right away. Please let me know if you can do that now?

On Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 9:49 AM Brent Ward
Sure thing Paul. But as you know there is a lot of snow here right now and the roads are pretty bad, so it will be hard to get to a store. Next time the snow plow goes by, I will try to get out to a store. I will keep you posted!

I need 5 pieces of the apple iTunes card @ $1000 on each cards. l'll be reimbursing back to you. I need the physical cards which you are going to get from the store. When you get them, scratch back of each cards and take picture of the cards and send them to me via email on here

Me: Wow! Thats a lot of money. Not sure my credit card limit is enough for $5000! I may have to go to the bank first, so may take a while. When is your meeting over? And, as you know the snow is still really bad, so I can not leave my house right now. Waiting for the snow plow!

Dean: I want you to know that this meeting will take a very while. I really need your help at this hard time I promise to pay you back in ways you will never expect . I really need this right now please .

Me: I was just outside trying to shovel the snow off the car. It will be a while until I get out.

So what do you need the cards for?

You must be trapped in your meeting because of the snow!

I want you to know that $5000 is a little money for me. I would have get this myself but am trapped here. The card are needed for some very important things.i will tell you everything once everything is done. I really need you to do whatever you can get me the card as soon and...

Me: Sorry I tried to drive, but I am slid off the road, damaged my car and am stuck in a snow back. Not sure what I can do.....

Dean: Am sorry to hear that. I want you to know that am going to put the blame on you because I need your and I want you to know that this will help everyone. I promise to return back your money once I get back okay.

(seems a little harsh!)

Sent: December 20, 2019 12:22 PM

To: Brent Ward
Subject: Re: QUICK HELP NEEDED

Hello . What’s going on? Am still waiting for you

(Guess I neglected him)

On Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 9:38 PM Brent Ward wrote:
Waiting for the tow truck to get me out of the snow bank. Maybe the tow truck driver can take me to the store for the coveted apple cards!

December 20, 2019 8:36 PM

To: Brent Ward
Subject: Re: QUICK HELP NEEDED

Am very very disappointed in you. I want you to know that what you did was very painful . I need your help and you failed me ....

(oh the guilt!)

So sorry Paul, my car is really damaged. Tow truck pulled it out of the snow but it is not drivable. I hope the insurance will cover it! If not can you help?

I am looking for my snow shoes to make the trek to the store. -continued next tweet

As you know, still snowing heavily. I hope I make it! The conditions are really bad! So cold! And thick snow!

How is your meeting? Sure must be a marathon!

Sent: December 20, 2019 10:23 PM
To: Brent Ward
Subject: Re: QUICK HELP NEEDED

Getting your car fix is not a problem . But I will like to know I you can still help
Me with the cards?

On Fri, Dec 20, 2019 at 10:25 PM
I will try to get to the store through the cold and the snow. I found the snow shoes. Will put on the parka, toque and mittens and head out. Battery may die on my phone because of the cold, but once I am back I will send you the juicy apple cards!

I need 5 pieces of the apple iTunes card @ $1000 denomination on each cards. l'll be reimbursing back to you. I need the physical cards which you are going to get from the store. When you get them, scratch back of each cards and take picture of the cards and send them to me via..

Me: I know, you already told me that. I just need to get to the store. I know what to do! Good news, my neighbour is home, and he has a dog team and a sled. We will be mushing our way to the store soon!! -continued next tweet...

Me continued: Sorry about the delay! you musty be so disappointed in me! I will try to gain your trust again, I hope I do not get frostbite!

Dean: OK. Thank you..

(The "Dean" may be waiting a while, dog teams are notoriously slow here in Vancouver.....)

Wow it continues:

Sent: December 21, 2019 11:59 AM

To: Brent Ward
Subject: Re: QUICK HELP NEEDED

Hello??? am waiting for you ..

On Sun, Dec 22, 2019 at 1:26 AM Brent Ward wrote:
Sorry Paul,

We had a run in with a polar bear. Lost a couple of the dogs and the sled was damaged beyond repair. Holed up on a cabin. Wish I had brought my gun! Left in a rush.

Sincerely,

Brent

Dean: So what now . You’re not getting what I ask you

Me: Gosh Paul, I know you are from New Zealand and everything but Polar bears are one of the most terrifying of the Ursidae family. We are a little freaked out and trapped. I mean you can not still be in your meeting can you. It has been two days! Get your own damn gift cards!

Dean: I told you this is very important. You think is is a kind of joke. You fail to help. You need to understand the fact this will bounce back on you. Because I need your help and you fail to do it
(Looks like this could be a career limiting response from me)

Dean: I only ask you for a little help.

(Not sure how much longer I want this to go on, not sure to continue with polar bears? Maybe polar bears with armour? Not sure)

OK next instalment:

Good news! Some Mounties in Red serge rescued us! They shot the polar bears and are taking us to the store in their snowmobile. We may have to stop by the curling rink as one of them has to curl in a bonspiel. Should have the cards soon!

Sincerely,

Brent

Persistence with an edge:

On Sun, Dec 22, 2019 at 10:05 PM Paul wrote:
Hello what’s going on? Am waiting for you. I want you to know that this is very important are you going to help me or not ? I want you to know that this will bounce back bad on you

Sorry Paul,

Still at the curling rink watching Sargent Prescott of the RCMP, one of our rescuers, curl in the invitational bonspiel. Been stressful with the car accident, the polar bear attack, which resulted in the death of a couple of dogs and destruction of the sled, and....

then our rescue. Feel bad though, a couple of the polar bears looked like the ones from the coke adds. Feel a little guilty about it. So having a couple of beers to chill. How about some Tim Horton cards? They have some here at the curling rink.

Dean:
I told you already what I want you to buy for me . I said you should get a Apple ITunes card or Amazon card . .. why are you taken me for granted . Have been asking you for help for couple days now but you keep giving me excuses.....

Dean again, somewhat demanding:

Hello are you there? I want you to try your best and get me the card today . Am already at the meeting . Go to your bank and withdraw the money and get me the card

(I think that is it, I will stop replying, gone on long enough)