FW: FYI - Telephone Scam

[dsr at tao.merseine.nu (dsr at tao.merseine.nu)]

On Tue, Feb 11, 2003 at 07:02:28AM -0800, Steve wrote:
> A supposedly very serious, affecting everybody, etc. problem that 
> receives no media coverage outside of the email. Check.

Actually, the Globe ran a story on this sometime in the last few
years... covering several email chain letters.

> >>I was further informed that this scam has been originated from many
> >>local jails/prisons.  I have also verified this information with UCB
> >>Telecom, Pacific Bell, MCI, Bell Atlantic, and GTE.
> 
> Unverified appeal to authority. "I contacted them so you don't have to. 
> Just believe what I say." Check.

Better yet, to authorities who no longer exist. (MCI was eaten by
WorldCom, Bell Atlantic and GTE merged to Verizon.)

> Chain letter request. Check.
> 
> Does anybody know if someody has written a logic filter for email 
> hoaxes? Would be interesting as they all seem to sound the same to me.

Unfortunately, it would require the ability to parse English, a
strong-AI condition.

However, SpamAssassin has rules which can cover many of these phrases.

-dsr-