FRAUDULENT BANK E-MAILS......

Heyy blogsville,
So lately, it seems that these yahoo guys are targeting Nigerians as well. I have been getting e-mails from various "banks" in Nigeria telling me to confirm my account details from "Interswitch". It first started with Gurantee Trust, from the address security@gtbplc.comwith the logo and looked really genuine, but because I do not have an account with them, I just ignored it.
This is what it looked like:


Dear GTBank customer,
During our regularly scheduled account maintenance and verification procedures, we have detected a slight error in your account information.
This might be due to either of the following reasons:
1. A recent change in your personal information (i.e. change of address).2. Submitting invalid information during the initial sign up process.3. An inability to accurately verify your selected option of payment due to an internal error within our processors.
Please update and verify your information by clicking the link below:
https://ibank.gtbplc.com/ibank2/login.aspx
If your account information is not updated within 48 hours then your ability to access your account will become restricted.
Note: Username (Account Number) and Password are numeric. Refer to your e-banking signup form.
Thank you for choosing, Guaranty Trust Bank.
* Please do not respond to this email as your reply will not be received.
Copyright © 1995-2009 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc . All Rights Reserved.Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners.

But when another one came from Diamond bank who I have an account with, I decided to fill in the details because I thought it was genuine. It had the Diamond bank logo and the Interswitch logo as well and so I thought it made sense because I had just opened my account in Nigeria before I left and I did not want it to get closed down.
As I started to fill in the information, it asked me for the password of my ATM card, and thats when I knew it was fake. I decided to follow the "interswitch" link and but it did not lead to a website. I just shoke my head and laughed. This is the e-mail I got:


Attention Card Holder,
This is to notify you that our services are being upgraded to a new, better and more secured system . You are now required to CLICK HERE and register all your DEBIT CARDS, X-CHANGE CARDS, and CASH CARDS online IMMEDIATELY so as to enable your card to work on our new servers. Only registered cards will work with the ATM machines.Note that in order to continue using your card for ATM transactions, you MUST register your card(s) online IMMEDIATELY BY CLICK HERE .If you do not register your ATM card(s) immediately, you will no longer be able to use your cards with the ATM machines or for ATM transactions and your card(s) will be cancelled or terminated.
Adhere to this instruction on receiving this message and click here immediately to register your card. Our goal is to satisfy all our customers need.InterSwitch Nigeria LimitedImportant dates to remember:
Print or download transactions:
By March 1, 2009
Online access unavailable:
March 4-8, 2009
Log on to bank:
March 9, 2009
Sincerely,InterSwitch Customer Service For phone number and email information, please visit the Contact Us section of interswitchng.com.
Please note that you are unable to respond directly to this message. If you have any questions about your account or if you need further assistance, please contact InterSwitch Customer Service.Products and services offered by InterSwitch, N.A.InterSwitch, N.A. and its affiliates are not responsible for and do not endorse any information, advice, opinions, and services from third-party news information or service providers. InterSwitch , a division of InterSwitch, N.A. Member FDIC "

Since then, I have gotten this same e-mail from Interswitch bearing the logo of Intercontinental, Zenith and Access banks, but I do not have accounts with any of them.
I had been spaming them until I came across this email:



_____________________________________________________________________________ InterSwitch® Security Alert : InterSwitch Offers ATM Cardholders Enhanced Security. _____________________________________________________________________________InterSwitch® ATM Card Services has been receiving complaints from our customers for unauthorised/illegal use of their ATM card and their bank account information. As a result of this, we periodically review InterSwitch® ATM cardholders and temporarily restrict access of those accounts which we think are vulnerable to the unauthorised use.To ensure the confidentiality of your Bank and ATM card information, it is of utmost necessity for all InterSwitch® ATM cardholders to activate their InterSwitch® ATM card enhanced security features. This is one of our varying methods of checking internet and/or local fraud which seems to be on the increase.Click here to Activate Your ATM Card Enhanced SecurityThis message has been sent to you from InterSwitch® ATM Card Services. Failure to confirm your account information may lead to restriction in use and access of your ATM card usage.N.B - Card Number [printed on card issued by bank] and Pin are numeric. Refer to your Debit or Cash Cards. Thank you for using InterSwitch® Debit/ATM Card!_____________________________________________________________________________Affiliated Banks - [ All Banks/Financial Institution in Nigeia ] _____________________________________________________________________________
BUT THIS IS ALSO FAKE, because when you click the link, it ALSO asks you for information like your numerical password which you are never supposed to give out. But after about a week, the website is taken off.

I googled it and found that there are a number of articles about it on the web. Here is an article explaining the problem. Gurantee Trust also explains it on thier website.

Apparently, a number of people have been loosing money because thier details have been used even though thier atm card is with them at all times.

It is starting to look like internet was a curse to Nigeria.