Virus scam targeting translators
A number of translators have been receiving scam emails containing a virus attachment, disguised as a file to be translated. Here's the text of the email I received:
Subject: High Quality Translation
I haven't seen you for weeks
I need this document translated, and the translation is to be of high quality.
The attorney asked me to be especially careful with page 2. As I need to submit the document tomorrow, please have it checked and translated for me today.I have deposited $150 to your credit card account that you gave me the last time.
Let me know if any questions occur.P.S. The document is in the ZIP-compressed MS Word file attached to this message.
I look forward to getting the result ASAP.So long
Irene Sutherland
It came with the attachment "Document.zip," which as you might expect contains a rather new virus (some anti-virus software is apparently failing to pick it up).
Several other translators have reported receiving it. The attack is somewhat novel in that it specifically targets translators. I used to get a lot of scam emails along the lines of "my daughter requires an interpreter near your hometown on date X"; presumably to be followed with a request for funds to "facilitate" the process. In my memory, however, this is the first time I've received a virus scam with a "translate this" angle. Beware, translators!
Wow, that is weird…
Certainly is weird. My guess is that there’s a pimply teenager out there in Seattle, Manchester, or Munich or somewhere that really has a gripe against the translators of his/her favorite manga. Either that or a translation coordinator in Ikebukuro or Shinsaibashi that has read one too many negative comments from NESsies about the translation process in Japan? Could be anything, but still weird.
Gosh, our very own virus? I feel so special!
Interesting. I’d guess either corporate espionage or early access to manga/anime work for the motive. And as desperate as some fans can be for translations of their favorite series, I’d wager the latter.
Seriously, though, does anyone fall for these email attachment traps any more?
[...] and if you haven’t seen it, be sure to check out Ryan’s latest post about the virus scam targeting translators. It never hurts to be skeptical about new inquiries, but don’t be too skeptical. The thing [...]
@Michael
I’ll go with the rabid anime fan angle — at least it’s the most interesting explanation!
One does wonder who falls for these scams anymore, but it’s pretty obvious that lots of people still do. The massive amounts of spam out there are good proof, since most spam originates from hijacked computers…
A translator in Argentina forwarded an scam email to me, supposedly from a couple in Wales. The email even included a photo of the “couple” who are offering the translation job. The translator is stringing them along for fun. In this case, they will only work with checks. Translator emptor!