Email Scams: That’s A New One

And I’m not kidding, either … !

I’ve got to admit, I was just poking around my gmail account’s Spam folder, earlier.

Which sounds strange.

But it’s something I do with both it and my private account.

Just to make sure that emails that I’m expecting, haven’t been misdirected.

Thankfully, there’s was nothing that had gone astray, like that.

But there was the usual amount of bumf, junk and plain old pooh.

And something novel.

Or novel, for an attempted scam email, any way.

Here, just in case you can’t make out the text in the photo …

SCAM VICTIM COMPENSATION PAYMENT VIA ATM CARD.

BANK OF AFRICA/UNITED NATIONS 2011

COMPENSATIONS PAYMENTS DIRECTIVE.

ATTN:Sir/Madam.

SCAMMED VICTIM/.REF/PAYMENTS CODE:06654 1.5 MILLION USD.

This is to bring to your notice that I am delegated from the United

Nations and Union Bank Of Africa to pay 100 Benin Republic 419 scam victims $1.5 Million each, you are listed and approved for this payments as one of the

scammed victims,get back to us as soon as possible for the immediate

payments of your $1.5 Million compensations funds. On this faith full

recommendations,

I want you to know that during the last UN meetings held

at Port Novo,Capital Of Benin Republic,it was alarmed so much by the rest

of the world in the meetings on the lose of funds by various foreigners to

the scams artists operating in syndicates all over the world today,in

other to retain the good image of the country,the president of the country

is now paying 100 victims of this operators $1.5Million USD each,Due to the

corrupt and inefficient banking systems in Benin Republic,the payments are

to be paid by UNION BANK OF AFRICA as corresponding paying bank under funding assistance by the National Westminster bank London.

According to the number of applicants at hand,84 beneficiaries has been paid ,half of the victims are from the United States and Asia,we still have more 16 left to be paid the compensations of $1Million each. Your particulars was

mentioned by one of the syndicates who was arrested in Cotonou as one of

their victims of the operations,you are hereby warned not to communicate

or duplicate this message to him for any reason what so ever,the US secret

service is already on trace of the criminal,You can receive your

compensations payments via ATM CARD PAYMENT.

Furthermore you are advice toreconfirm you billing address include your full name and direct contact telephone number to the Managing Director Swift Card Consultant Payment Center for the certified ATM Card, the contact information is as follows:

MANAGING DIRECTOR SWIFT CARD

CONSULTANT PAYMENT CENTER.

Email:(ubabank13@accountant.com)

TEL PHONE: +229-97 09 7 82

NAME: Dr Linda maxwel.

Call her immediately you get this mail to enable her speed up for your ATM

payment Card,NB Please do not reply to this E-mail,contact the Managing

Director Swift Card Consultant Payment Center immediately with the

necessary information required from you so that they will commence on

processing.

Yours faithfully,

Gad Amata

But I’ve got to admit, that was new.

A scam email telling me I was due compensation …

For being scammed … !

Dear me, what will they come up with, next … ?

»»•««

Now, just as a last thing … ?

Bless, you can tell how revered Nicholas Courtney was, can’t you … ?

I managed to pick the poster — that second photo — from Life, Dr Who & Combom: and can find the relevant link to the original, here …

And Toby, over at Inner Toob … ?

Had this …

The Daily Teaser …

Now that’s a real weirdie …

I’ve got to admit it.

Definitely strange.

I actually had a dream, last night: usually I never remember them.

But this one … ?

Or snippet of one, I should say … ?

Had me running around the house, as I’d been assigned to a ship.

Here’s the weird bit: one that doesn’t actually exist.

Seems I’d been made a member of Iain M. Banks’ Culture, and been assigned to the GSV Serious Gravitas Shortfall.

And was running around the house getting a few last bits together.

The even stranger bit … ?

Was that isn’t even the name of the ship in question, it’s actually the GSV Experiencing A Significant Gravitas Shortfall.

Yeah, like I say …

Lets move on, shall we … ?

Yeah …

»»•««

Yes, move on …

Yesterday’s Teaser was a bit of a quiet one: bless him, Kaiju had some last minute learning to do for a presentation he has to give, tonight.

However, it did see Debbi putting in her answers: and managing to bag six out of six.

Lets see how she — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ?

Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 26th February, 2000, saw a gagging order issued against which British spy … ?

Q2) The Daventry Experiment — carried out by Robert Watson-Watt on 26th February, 1935 — which lead to the UK development of what: television, RADAR or the pocket calculator … ?

Q3) 26th February, 2004, saw the USA lift a travel ban to which North African country … ?

Q4) 26th February, 1826 saw the birth of the man who famously designed the world’s first Jeans: what was his name … ?

Q5) More to the point, in which US city was that designer’s company based … ?

Q6) And finally … 26th February, 1914, saw the launch of one of the RMS Titanic’s sister ships: what was its name … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 25th February, 1971, saw the first part of the Pickering Nuclear Generating station go into operation: this was which country’s first nuclear generator … ?

A1) Canada’s …

Q2) 25th February, 1964, saw Muhammed Ali — Cassius Clay, as he was, then — beat Sonny Liston to become Heavyweight Champion of the World: what did Ali say he’d famously float like … ?

Q2) “… A butterfly”.

Q3) More to the point, how old was Ali, when he did this … ?

A3) 22.

Q4) 25th February, 1921, saw the city of Tbilisi occupied by Bolshevik Russia: which country is Tbilisi the capital of … ?

A4) Georgia.

Q5) 25th February, 1928, saw the Charles Jenkins Laboratories become the first group or person to hold a US Federal … what … ?

A5) Television license.

Q6) And finally … 25th February, 1901, saw the birth of the youngest member of the Marx Brothers: who was he … ?

A6) Herbert Manfred “Zeppo” Marx.

Enjoy those those, everyone.

I’ll catch you later.

Some Questions … For FREE!!

Blimey … !

I’ve got to confess, I’ve got the telly on again: and it looks BBC 1 are showing New Tricks.

I’ve got to admit, I love that show!

So if I seem a touch distracted … ?

It’s because Sandra, Brian, Jack and Gerry are doing their thing.

Although in tonight’s episode … ?

It’s in the rehab clinic that one of the team’s attending … !

Ahem!

»»•««

At any rate, I’ve got to admit I had an old friend — Vix — ask me for a bit of help, the other day.

Bless her, she’s managed to wangle a long professional trip to Lusaka, in Zambia.

But needed some financial help.

Don’t I just wish I could have offered to … ?

But what she did grab my attention, and be very flattering.

Vix, bless her, had managed to persuade her local pub to let her run a pub quiz, to try and raise some cash for the trip.

Of course, she knew I’d run quizzes in my time.

And promptly asked if I could knock out a couple of quizzes for her.

Easy enough, of course with the back-log I’ve got …

At any rate, I managed to send her four quizzes: the ones I’ve used online, as the last four weeks worth of Friday Question Sets, in point of fact.

Vix, bless her, immediately twigged that doing a little judicious editting, cutting and pasting would be in order.

Here …

I’ll sign off …

By showing you what she put together …

General Knowledge

What was the name of the American cartoonist who drew the famously complicated machines? William Heath-Robinson

A Cruciverbalist studies what? Crossword puzzles

Which London theatre was known as the Coburg when it first opened in 1818? The Old Vic, the Mermaid or the Dominion? The Old Vic

How many books are there in the old testament: 37, 39 or 41? 39

In which English town is the Jorvik centre? York

The world’s oldest toyshop is in Regents Street, London. What is it called? Hamleys

According to the title of the well known romantic novel, Catherine Earnshaw lived in which house? Wuthering Heights

Which car manufacturer produces the Samara? Lada

Does Canada have a president, a prime minister or both? A Prime Minister

Which famous house is at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? The White House

Music

‘Dancing with myself’ was a big hit for which punk rocker? Billy Idol

Who composed the Brandenburg concertos? Johann Sebastian Bach

‘Beetlebum’ and ‘Country House’ were hits for which Essex based band? Blur

On average, how many records do you need to sell to the nearest thousand, to make number 1? 62,000

‘Where is the love’ was the first UK number one from which collective? The Black Eyed Peas

Name Catatonia’s lead singer. Cerys Matthews

How many top ten hits did Catatonia have? 3

What sort of girl provided a hit for Jamiroqui in 1996? Cosmic Girl

Ginger, Eric and Jack formed which 60’s supergroup? Cream

Which rapper was the producer for the first album by Mary J Blige? Puff Daddy

Food & Drink

What is the main ingredient of Taramasalata? Cod’s Roe (Accept Cod’s eggs)

A Batavia is a variety of which vegetable? The Lettuce

Parmesan cheese and Parma ham both come from which European country? Italy

What unit of measurement or scale is used to measure the heat of a Chilli pepper? Scoville

Which fast food chain opened its first UK branch in London in 1954? Wimpy, Pizza Hut or McDonalds? Wimpy

Wormwood goes into which notoriously powerful drink? Absinthe or Tequila? Absinthe

In which famous restaurant did the French Chef Escoffier begin his career? Moulin Rouge

What utensil do the Chinese call ‘Lively fellows’? Chop Sticks

What is a Blue Vinny? A Cheese

Morel and Oyster are edible types of what? Mushrooms

TV / Films

Caroline Ahearne was the star of Mrs Merton and which other comedy show? The Royale Family

Uncle Buck was the first screen appearance for which former child star? Macaulay Culkin

Lynda La Plante created and Helen played which TV detective? Jane Tennyson

May Day was one of the Bond girls in which Roger Moore, Bond film? A View To A Kill

Which Scottish MP took part in Celebrity Big Brother? George Galloway

What is the most recent entry in The Saw movie franchise? The Saw: 3D

Barnacle Bill is the theme tune to which long running children’s TV show? Blue Peter

The film Trainspotting was based on a novel of the same name. Who wrote it? Irving Welsh

Which former Monty Python star tried copying Phileas Fogg for a travel documentary? Michael Palin

Who played the doctor who looked after John Merrick in the David Lynch cult film, the Elephant Man? Sir Antony Hopkins

Sport

In which sport would you snatch and jerk? Weight lifting

Who was the first British golfer to be both British and US open champion? Tony Jacklin

Who became the youngest player to play for England in 2003? Wayne Rooney

The Louisville Lip is better known as which boxer? Muhammed Ali

Gary Sobers hit six sixes in an over against which county? Glamorgan

Walter Swinburne won his first Derby on which legendary horse? Shergar

Racing driver Juan Manuel Fangio is from which South American country? Argentina

Nigel Mansell was famous for holding what 2 titles simultaneously? Formula One Drivers championship and the American Indie Car championship

When played on clay or shale, what name is given to Lawn tennis? Lawn Tennis

Sergey Bubka has broken the world record over 30 times, but in which Olympic event? Pole Vault

General Knowledge

Algology is the study of what, seaweed, algae or both? Both – seaweed IS an algae

Any alloy that is referred to as an amalgam always contains which metal? Mercury

Two countries are at the two opposite ends of the Khyber Pass. Name both. Pakistan and Afghanistan

How many balls are needed for game of snooker? 23

What toy was invented by Danish brothers Ole and Godtfred Christianson? Lego

Of all the naturally occurring chemical elements, 8 have names beginning with the letter ‘C’. Name 4 of them. Copper, calcium, carbon, chromium, chlorine, cobalt, cadmium and caesium.

A plutocracy is a county ruled by whom? The wealthy

What’s the other name for the Timeline service? The speaking clock

How many bits are there in a byte? 8

Androphobia is a fear of what? Men

Tie break

Approximately how many islands are there in the Scillys? (5 either way)

150 (Give a point for between 145 and 155)

What’s the only English anagram of the word SIGNATORY?

GYRATIONS

Which South American city has a Copacabana beach?

Rio De Janeiro

More to the point, how does that name translate into English?

January River

Which media celebrity wrote an autobiography entitled ‘Moab Is My Washpot’?

Stephen Fry.

The Daily Teaser …

Hmmm …

You know, regular readers will have probably worked out I usually have the TV on, in the background.

Right at the moment, in fact.

And in between pieces about Libya, the Middle-East, Libya, the Government’s response — to the Libya situation — and … um Libya …

They’ve got a quick piece about the weather.

More specifically … ?

About how the rather nasty winter we’ve had is affecting the Lincolnshire cauliflower: brassica crops are suffering.

Not that I’m directly affected.

Unless I have too many Brussel sprouts.

But it does make you — or complete townies like me, anyway — aware of how these things can go wrong.

And thinking that the word brassica is rather … um …

Nice …

Ahhhh …

Yeah …

Lets get getting on, shall we … ?

»»•««

Yesterday’s Teaser saw both Mr Strict and Debbi putting in their answers. With Mr S scoring 5 out of 5 and Debbi bagging 4 out of 5, it also saw Mr S giving us a quick aria* and photo of Clement Attlee, and Debbi, bless ’er, pulling off a blinder with this.

Lets see how they — and you — do with today’s questions, shall we … ? Here they are, along with the ‘How To’, License and video …

Q1) 25th February, 1971, saw the first part of the Pickering Nuclear Generating station go into operation: this was which country’s first nuclear generator … ?

Q2) 25th February, 1964, saw Muhammed Ali — Cassius Clay, as he was, then — beat Sonny Liston to become Heavyweight Champion of the World: what did Ali say he’d famously float like … ?

Q3) More to the point, how old was Ali, when he did this … ?

Q4) 25th February, 1921, saw the city of Tbilisi occupied by Bolshevik Russia: which country is Tbilisi the capital of … ?

Q5) 25th February, 1928, saw the Charles Jenkins Laboratories become the first group or person to hold a US Federal … what … ?

Q6) And finally … 25th February, 1901, saw the birth of the youngest member of the Marx Brothers: who was he … ?

And here’s yesterday’s questions and answers …

Q1) 24th February, 1711, saw the début of the first Italian opera written for a London stage: what was the name of the opera … ?

A1) Rinaldo.

Q2) 24th February, 1981, saw Buckingham Palace announce the engagement of whom … ?

Q2) Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, to Lady Diana Spenser.

Q3) 24th February, 1836, saw Colonel William B. Travis issue an appeal for help, for besieged troops at the Alamo Mission: during a war between Texas … and where … ?

A3) Mexico.

Q4) 24th February, 1950, saw the British Labour party win that years General Election: with how big a majority … ?

A4) 13 seats.

Q5) More to the point, who was named as Prime Minister … ?

A5) Clement Attlee.

Q6) And finally … 24th February, 1918, saw which country formally proclaim itself independent … ?

A6) Estonia.

Now did I mention it’s Friday … ? Which means that we also see the 60-question-set for struggling pub quiz-masters: covered, once again, by the Creative Commons license.

Online 92.

Round 1. General Knowledge.

Q1) What was tested at Bikini Atoll?

A1) The Hydrogen Bomb.

Q2) Which comedienne wrote the TV series Dinnerladies?

A2) Victoria Wood.

Q3) Snooker player Willie Thorn calls which town home?

A3) Leicester.

Q4) Who was the BBC’s royal correspondent, at the time of Princess Diana’s death?

A4) Jennie Bond.

Q5) Eurostar takes you to which Paris station?

A5) Gare Du Nord.

Q6) In which decade of the 20th century did a woman first sit in the House of Commons?

A6) The 1920s.

Q7) According to the ad, Ian Botham couldn’t eat three what?

A7) Shredded Wheat.

Q8) Who’s older, Ruby Wax or Jennifer Saunders?

A8) Jennifer Saunders.

Q9) What is the number for BT’s directory enquiries service?

A9) 118500.

Q10) True or False: David Soul played Starsky.

A10) False. He was Hutch.

Round 2. Science & Technology.

Q11) A rotor powers what kind of aircraft?

A11) A helicopter.

Q12) Did early TV have 405, or 635 lines?

A12) 405.

Q13) Which dangerous substance is also known as woolly rock?

A13) Asbestos

Q14) Apples, and Apricots are what technical device?

A14) Computers.

Q15) Which metal is used in thermometers?

A15) Mercury.

Q16) What weapon did Whitehead develop in1866?

A16) The torpedo.

Q17) What does a pluviometer measure?

A17) Rainfall.

Q18) In which city is the HQ of the European Space Agency?

A18) Paris.

Q19) What word describes a body at free-fall in space?

A19) Weightless

Q20) Which planet has moons called Fear and Terror?

Q20) Mars. (That’s the translated names: Phobos and Deimos, if you’re posh.)

Round 3. Sporting Chances.

Q21) Which French footballer advertised L’Oreal shampoo?

A21) David Ginola.

Q22) Golfer Ernie Els is from which country?

A22) South Africa.

Q23) Which British tennis player was born on Greg Rusedski’s first birthday?

A23) Tim Henman.

Q24) Jonah Lomu plays for which international Rugby team?

A24) New Zealand.

Q25) Snooker champion and coach, Ray Reardon was nicknamed what?

A25) Dracula.

Q26) Ronnie O’Sullivan won the 2004 Snooker World Championship by 18 frames, to 8. Who was he playing in that final?

A26) Graeme Dott.

Q27) Which 3 times Grand National winner died in 1995?

A27) Red Rum.

Q28) Who founded the book known as the cricketer’s bible?

A28) John Wisden.

Q29) Which temperamental tennis star was nicknamed the Superbrat?

A29) John McEnroe.

Q30) Who became the first black manager of a premiership side?

A30) Ruud Gullit. (He managed Chelsea.)

Round 4. Music and Lights.

Q31) Prior to fronting the Blockheads, which band was Ian Dury in?

A31) Kilburn and the High Roads.

Q32) What was Billie Piper’s first number 1?

A32) Because We Want To!

Q33) Which port provided a hit for the Beautiful South?

A33) Rotterdam.

Q34) Which Elvis Costello hit was first released on Two Tone Records?

A34) I Can’t Stand up For Falling Down.

Q35) What’s the only battle to provide a one-word title of a number 1?

A35) Waterloo.

Q36) Which magazine shares its name with a Madonna hit?

A36) Vogue.

Q37) Who wrote and recorded Riders On The Storm?

A37) The Doors.

Q38) Which Velvet Underground member played violin?

A38) Nico.

Q39) Suzanne Vega sang about whose Diner?

A39) Tom’s

Q40) Whose first hit was Wuthering Heights … ?

A40) Kate Bush.

Round 5. Hobbies & Leisure.

Q41) The Sealed Knot re-enacts what?

A41) Battles of the English Civil War.

Q42) Which racecourse has a Royal Enclosure?

A42) Ascot.

Q43) In Monopoly, what colour are the hotels?

A43) Red.

Q44) At the start of a game of chess, how many pieces are on the board?

A44) 32.

Q45) What organisation is the largest private landowner in the UK?

A45) The National Trust.

Q46) Numismatists collect coins, and what else?

A46) Medals.

Q47) What game is played at Hurlingham?

A47) Polo.

Q48) In which US state did skateboarding originate?

A48) California.

Q49) Who replaced Melvyn Bragg, on Radio 4’s Start The Week … ?

A49) Jeremy Paxman.

Q50) What is the world’s largest selling copyrighted board–game?

A50) Monopoly.

Round 6. General Knowledge.

Q51) Which British scientist invented the World Wide Web?

A51) Sir Tim Berners Lee.

Q52) What was the name of David Jason’s character, in Porridge?

A52) Blanco.

Q53) True or false: Malta has the largest Man Utd fan club, outside the UK.

A53) True.

Q54) Who is the patron saint of television?

A54) Saint Clare.

Q55) Who had a hit with Stool Pigeon

A55) Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

Q56) During the 40’s Hirohito was the Emperor of which country?

A56) Japan.

Q57) Which football club has Jasper Carrott as a fan?

A57) Birmingham.

Q58) During the 20th Century, the Duma was the parliament of where?

A58) Russia.

Q59) What was the chambermaid’s name, in Fawlty Towers … ?

A59) Polly.

Q60) During Prohibition in the US, the sale of what was prohibited?

A60) Alcohol.

Enjoy those, everyone: I’ll catch you later.

* Taken from Rinaldo, the first Italian opera written for the London stage.