Reader Submitted: Fake SL Login Screen

 

 From The Orange Floof (FriendlyDaWusky Resident). This is an image of what looks like an SL login screen. But checking the Internet address, one can see this is a fake. This was almost certainly meant to to was to get passwords and account names as a "phishing" scheme, then hack the account and swipe all their Lindens.

 

A reminder to be careful when clicking on strange links, and double check what you're logging into.

  

 

 

 

Invisiprim Scammer Trick Story Going Around

In real life, many of us check ATM machines for "skimmers" before using them. To those of you who don't know, these are false fronts attached over an ATM's card slot by hackers, which scan the cards as they're going in and read account and PIN numbers. With this in mind, it was probably inevitable someone would find a way to scam Second Life shoppers. Yesterday, this was posted in one group I'm in, and saw something similar in the Second Life Friends Facebook group.

I have read in some groups that scammers are now going to events and stores. They place large invisible prims over the vendors, so when you pay the vendor for an item you want to purchase, you are actually paying money to the scammer and you will not receive the item you payed for. ALWAYS check and double check that you are paying the correct person.

One trick would be to 'Highlight Transparent' to see if there is anything transparent over the vendor. If you use Firestorm, go to the 'Advanced' menu ---> Highlighting and Visibility ---> Highlight Transparent (or 'Ctrl + Alt + T' on your keyboard). If you see a red semi-transparent prim hanging over the vendor you might want to cam in behind it to the actual vendor or not buy it until the prim has been removed.

You may also want to alert the real vendor.

So if anything seems amiss with the vendors while shopping, check them over.

Scammers Using Fake Firestorm Website

Firestorm has become the most popular of Second Life viewers. Unfortunately, according to an article by Inara Pey, someone is taking advantage of it's popularity for the purposes of doing harm.

Inara's article stated someone is using accounts in Second Life to message residents about fake websites that appear to promote a "pro version of the Firestorm viewer." But there is no "pro version" of Firestorm. The link instead leads to a "scam site that is particularly nasty, as the Windows download link is infected."

Linden Lab has asked those who get these messages to please file an abuse report.

When filing a report, make sure you take a screen shot showing the message / notice displayed in your viewer – the abuse report screen shot feature will automatically capture open IM windows, etc. Reports can be filed under the Harassment category.

Source: Modem World

Man Pleads Guilty to Second Life Land Fraud in Real Life Court

While the goings-on in virtual worlds are beyond the understanding of many in real life, the court system found a scam involving thousands of dollars done online clear enough to bring to real life court. In this case, a man plead guilty to swindling a woman in a Second Life real estate deal.

In April 2015, Joshua Bills was arrested and charged with fraud. The crime: a virtual real estate scam, "In the complaint, it stated that a loan agreement was made with Bills for $53,500 for the purposes of expanding his online real estate company. Bills was to use the money to purchase land that he would manage through his company, within the game Second Life, in exchange for a promissory note that would pay $10,000 for the investment within 24 months."

The woman whom was targeted had been renting a home in Second Life from Bills. Then, "He suggested she invest with him to buy more land within the game so he could manage it and make both of them money." But instead of investing the money as promised, the majority of it went to his E-Trade investment account.

Indiana Securities Commissioner Alex Glass commented in a statement, "This was certainly a unique case in that it dealt with online, virtual real estate. However, upon examination of the facts, this case is very similar to a conventional real estate investment scheme. Con artists are always finding new and unique ways to scam trusting individuals out of their hard earned money."

Bills plead guilty in Marion County Indiana court. He was sentenced in late July to three years probation, and ordered to repay the woman he defrauded in full.

Hamlet Au of New World Notes, which also wrote about the case, commented, "this conviction helps establish a legal precedent for future prosecution of other virtual scams."

Sources: Business Weekly, ind.gov 

Bixyl Shuftan

Phony Relay for Life "Agent" Scamming Well Meaning Residents

In the Relay for Life chat a few days ago, one of the Relayers had some news, "I need to report something to you all and ask you to watch out and spread the word. Giving you a heads up, there's been a newbie running around various sims that sponsor RFL, claiming he's an agent … and to please donate L$'s to him." "Him again?" groaned another member. It was mentioned that the Relay sponsoring sims were banning him, but, "The problem is if he goes to sims NOT connected to RFL, where he might (seem) more plausible."

While it's not normally illegal to solicit money for charity, claiming to do so as an "agent" of the Relay for Life when one isn't certainly counts as fraud. So this individual, and anyone else like him, is liable to have his account, alts and all, banned. And if the Lab sees fit to notify the police, there is the possibility of arrest and jail time.

But until he's caught, the Relayers remind all that they collect their Lindens through kiosks. And of course the Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Bixyl Shuftan