Even though the the majority of seasoned computer users (I hope), are familiar with the infamous “419” or advance fee fraud scam, in which the victim is encouraged to sent money to the scammer, with the promise they will realize a significant gain, this type of scam is every bit as popular as ever.

Just a few days ago, I wrote on this type of scam in Email Scammers Threaten to Have Me Charged with Money Laundering.

The following news report indicates just how far these 419 scammers are prepared to go in their hunt for illicit gain – ransomeware in the flesh!

Johannesburg – South African News 24. The Hawks arrested four people implicated in a 419 scam at the weekend after they allegedly held a US woman hostage for nearly a month, an official said on Monday.

“Police believe the four lured the US citizen with a promise that she had won $1.06m (R8m),” Hawks spokesperson Musa Zondi said.

The gang started scamming her last year and fleeced $60 000 from her between April and July.

She was told to come to South Africa in person to claim her prize and bring $2, 000. “She duly came and on arrival on April 15, they took her hostage from the airport and kept her in a house for well over a month.

To read the rest of this story go here.

Unfortunately, not all of us, when we are on the Internet, LOOK – really look. Not all of us recognize, “the wolf in sheep’s clothing” email scam. Spam scammers rely on this to defraud those of us who don’t.

I would like to say that I feel sorry for this woman – that I pity her. But I’m having a difficult time seeing her innocence in this. She was as bloody stupid as one person can be, in my estimation.

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