Email scam exploits tsunami victims

Email scammers are attempting to cash in on the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster by bombarding internet users with fake requests for financial help.

In a sick twist on the infamous Nigerian letter scam, one email claims to be from a victim from the Banda Aceh Province in Indonesia.

The unsolicited email from “Marco Nula” asks for “assistance at clearing his late father's money". It states: “if you are business oriented with experience in Holiday, Hotel and Resort business or have some idea on how to run a groceries shop, I am willing to recommit the money for the full benefit of all (My Sister you and I).”

“..Apart from that I shall be willing to give a negotiable percentage of the money to you otherwise or alternatively, please contact me on my email address as the telephone system is not functioning at the moment.”

UK spam filtering company NetBop Technologies has seen an increasing number of the so-called "Nullamento" scam emails and other variations in the last week.

Andrew Downie, managing director of NetBop Technologies, said: "We started receiving versions of the Nullamento scam early on the 3 January, just a week after the natural disaster. We have tracked several other variations of the message and will continue to protect our customers from such spam."

NetBop advises internet users that receive such emails to delete them immediately. Donations to the tsunami appeal can be made through the Disasters Emergency Committee website.