Security news
Security news15 December 2003
Sophos comments on Sydney's alleged Nigerian scammer
The alleged mastermind behind a Nigerian letter email scam remains in police custody today, in Sydney. Nick Marinellis, 39, was refused bail in courts on Friday and is charged with 17 offences including conspiracy to defraud.
New South Wales (NSW) Police allege that Nick Marinellis masterminded one of the 'Nigerian letter' scams - rife through most email users' inboxes. The scam involved the distribution of spam emails which conned people into believing they could claim millions of dollars through lottery winnings or an inheritance if they first sent off money for "expenses".
According to news reports, NSW Police have accused Marinellis of using the internet to steal up to AUD$5 million from people in more than 10 countries and court documents allege he deposited almost $1.5 million into a number of bank accounts. Court documents also allege that an office complex in Nottingham, in the United Kingdom, a $970,000 house in Sydney, seven other properties in country NSW, five cars, several bank accounts and other property were seized by police.
In a police statement, NSW State Crime Command Assets Confiscation Unit Commander Inspector Jennifer Thommeny, said, "We have identified victims who have been approached in NSW, South Australia, Victoria, Cyprus, Malaysia, Japan, Norway, Greece, Indonesia, Hong Kong and England, [who] in many cases have been conned into handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars."
According to Rob Forsyth, Sophos's managing director for Australia and New Zealand, this arrest highlights the risks a person takes when they enter into financial communications with unknown people across the internet.
"If an offer looks too good to be true, it probably is. With the increase of spam email, the old adage of Caveat Emptor - let the buyer beware - should be written in bold across the top of every computer screen. Internet users should take the advice of the Australian Internet Industry Association that 'When in Doubt: Don't Try - Don't Buy - Don't Reply'.
"Anti-spam legislation has so far done little to reduce the amount of spam email arriving in inboxes. However, this action may start to give those who use the internet to break the law a few sleepless nights," Forsyth said.
Sophos recommends companies protect themselves with a consolidated solution which can defend businesses from the threats of both spam and viruses. More information on how to protect email servers and gateways against these threats.
About Sophos
Sophos enables enterprises all over the world to secure and control their IT infrastructure. Sophos's network access control, endpoint, web and email solutions simplify security to provide integrated defenses against malware, spyware, intrusions, unwanted applications, spam, policy abuse, data leakage and compliance drift. With over 20 years of experience, Sophos protects over 100 million users in nearly 150 countries with its reliably engineered security solutions and services. Recognized for its high level of customer satisfaction and powerful yet easy-to-use solutions, Sophos has received many industry awards, as well as positive reviews and certifications.
Sophos is headquartered in Boston, US and Oxford, UK. More information is available at www.sophos.com
