Scammers use BBC programme in con

Scammers are using BBC television programme Heir Hunters to add authenticity to a con trick, security experts have warned.

Nigerian scam uses BBC programme

Security experts are warning about a 'Nigerian' scam which uses the name of a BBC TV programme to add authenticity.

Nigerian scams were first spotted coming from the West African nation, hence the name. An alternative name, the 419 scam, refers to an article of Nigerian law which deals with such cons.

In this particular variation of the scam, an email claims that the recipient is being sought by the makers of Heir Hunters, a programme that follows the work of people who help members of the public claim their inheritance.

There are several tell-tale signs that the email is the work of scammers, though.

"I am writing you from Heir Hunters Company in the United kingdom , Heir Hunters probate detectiveslooking for distant relatives of people who have died without making a will, here is our websitepage on BBC TWO News [sic]," the email reads.

In addition to the poor punctuation and grammar, the message includes an email address that ends in @yahoo.com.hk.

"Why would the email address for a UK-based program be in Hong Kong?" asked Paul O Baccas of Sophos.

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