Weird phishing attempt, kinda freaked out.

[JD159]

Not sure where else to post this so I figured maybe someone here has some insights. I just recieved a really strange email...

Hi *my name*,

You don't know me... I know something about your gf, *girlfriend's name*.

Let me know if you want to find out.

The weirdest part is that it was sent from a Gmail address, to my university email address, which I never use and if you search for, doesn't return anything.

How the hell they pulled my girlfriend's name, I have no idea, nor why it was sent to my university email.

The email address they used is a misspelled version of some famous Indian actress. Anu Emanuele or something.

My take is the school was compromised, and they are doing a targetted attack on me after digging around to see what my name pulls up.

Thoughts???

[Bill Douglas]

Email back and say you know something about his mother...

[IROC]

I had a weird email the other day that appeared to come from my wife's email address (it was in the "from" line) but the wording of the email was odd. I then hovered over her email address and it was something completely different. Needless to say, I deleted it immediately.

What was eerie was that how did the scammer get each of email addresses and how did it know the nickname she calls me, etc.? Weird...

[legion]

Do you have a public profile on Facebook?

Anthem and Equifax know all of the people in your household...

[flipper35]

And they know your mother's maiden name and all sorts of other info that leaks out.

The email in the OP could be from the girlfriend as a joke. Or her ex or someone else you know. It isn't always strangers. It could also be someones machine is compromised and information has been gathered quietly that way. Ask Ubiquity how much that can cost you when they learn enough to copy the persons mannerisms.

[JD159]

Honestly, the more I think about it, it could be a girl from one of my MBA classes, or a prank from a classmate, but that imo is highly unlikely.

[RKDinOKC]

It is called Spear Phishing meaning targeted. They get just enough information to entice you click on the included links or reply to the email. Besides compromised computers, you have to assume that in this day and age ALL unsecured traffic is monitored by robots collecting names, emails, anything that could be used to gain your confidence or arouse your curiosity enough to make the click or reply.

[sugarwood]

Personally, I'd reply, "Yes, I want to find out"

Is that all the email said? Did it ask you to click something or provide info? If not, then it is not phishing.
Do you have any reason to suspect your girlfriend of cheating, lying, stealing, etc ?

[JD159]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Personally, I'd reply, "Yes, I want to find out"

Is that all the email said? Did it ask you to click something or provide info? If not, then it is not phishing.
Do you have any reason to suspect your girlfriend of cheating, lying, stealing, etc ?

Yes. No. And No.

Wish you could trace IP or something.

I have fairly little social media presence as well. I did recently subscribe to a sales simulation program using my school email. So creepy though.

[RKDinOKC]

Yeah, send the I want to find out email. Sending the email tells them what client and OS you are using. Then they can send an email with a jpg or link with malware targeted for you specific OS that may or may not be related to the original email you received.

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Yeah, send the I want to find out email. Sending the email tells them what client and OS you are using. Then they can send an email with a jpg or link with malware targeted for you specific OS that may or may not be related to the original email you received.

No. But, send the reply from a public computer or friends tablet if you feel better. They can Target whatever OS they want, he just doesn't click anything he gets.

OP still thinks this was random.
It's not.

But this is not a widespread email text.
It doesn't show up in Google.
This was written personally to him.

The author probably goes to the same University, and that's why he knows the naming format of this underused email account.

My guess is that he slept with her, or knows someone who did. That's the best case scenario.

[Por_sha911]

IMO, replying to that email is the internet equivalent of checking the basement in a horror movie because you heard a sound. Nothing good will come of it.
Delete the thing.

[JD159]

Originally Posted by sugarwood

But this is not a widespread email text.
It doesn't show up in Google.
This was written personally to him.

The author probably goes to the same University, and that's why he knows the naming format of this underused email account.

My guess is that he slept with her, or knows someone who did. That's the best case scenario.

Correct about it being personally written to me. Might have a suspect. But no reply. Highly doubt it is even a he. She's from a totally different city anyway.

Will keep you posted for any revelations !! Assuming they are interesting

[JD159]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

IMO, replying to that email is the internet equivalent of checking the basement in a horror movie because you heard a sound. Nothing good will come of it.
Delete the thing.

Replied. Heard nothing. If I do, I'm not going to entertain it. Creepy though. The gf was creeped right out. I don't suspect her if any activities though...

[id10t]

Originally Posted by JD159

Yes. No. And No.

Wish you could trace IP or something.

I have fairly little social media presence as well. I did recently subscribe to a sales simulation program using my school email. So creepy though.

Post the headers of the original message. Still no guarantee but it could give real info.

And yes, some of us would check the basement in a horror movie. Only questions are "which spoon" and "which of my crazy buddies want to go with, and are they bringing their own silverware or do I need to supply?".

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by id10t

And yes, some of us would check the basement in a horror movie. Only questions are "which spoon" and "which of my crazy buddies want to go with, and are they bringing their own silverware or do I need to supply?".

Usually the movie has helpless mindless young adults or the searcher is powerless against whatever supernatural monster is there but, that said, props to your answer

[Por_sha911]

Just a crazy thought, maybe your gf is testing you?