Claim: You can aid the search for Osama Bin Laden by donating money to a band of hackers.
Status: False.
Example: [Collected on the Internet, 2001]
Subject: Help to find Osama Bin Laden - the most wanted terrorist. Dear Human, You are here to contribute finding location of Osama Bin Laden, the world most dangerous and wanted terrorist. Read below to know HOW. We currently know that his group uses encryptions methods named steganography and public/private key encryption. (go www.pgp.com, www.google.com - seek for steganography for more information). We will not be able to crack down their conversation, but we will be able to find PRESENCE of that conversation him. So who we are - we are group of enthusiasts - Currently we look for funding. To perform this operation well we need $160,000 during the next two weeks. You alone probably will not donate such amount for yet another possibility to find bin Laden. But TOGETHER we sure, that this amount will be easily reached. As our actions are against the law (normal How to donate. We should know who you are (of course you can be anonymous), because if we successfully catch Osama, we will REFUND all the money and send you report. Write in payment details: "donation of john@yahoo.com". Also, use highest possible urgency level, as we should finish with the task as soon, as possible, while their group have not performed new hijacks. Here are wire tranfer info: Also, please, forward this message to those, who may help us, because funding of our goals will help the whole world. Thank you for your support, |
Origins: Yeah, sure — we're going to improve on the efforts of intelligence services all over the world to track wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden by sending money to a group of anonymous hackers operating outside the law.
Given the obvious humor of this piece (e.g., a salutation of "Dear Human"), we're assuming (or at least hoping) this is a deliberate piece of dark satire and not a real attempt to dupe well-meaning and concerned victims out of some cash.
Last updated: 8 March 2008