July 12, 2021
What makes this a phishing message?
This very simple, but effective, targeted phishing scam used the name of an actual Berkeley professor to send out a call for research assistant work.
There are a few clues that the message is a forgery:
- The criminal is sending from a gmail.com account instead of an @berkeley.edu address
- The grammar and sentence structure is poor
Remember:
- If you receive a email containing a message that you did not expect, especially with words like "Urgent" or "Response Needed" do not engage.
- If the email is unsolicited and offering money, do not engage
- If you are ever unsure if an email is legitimate, please reach out to phishing@berkeley.edu
If you have received this message and shared correspondence with the scammer, we recommend that you cease correspondence immediately and contact UCPD if there have been any financial transactions.
Original Message:
From: Bernhard Boser <beejay6040@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 5:34 AM
Subject: Berkeley University of California - Research Assistant
To: Recipient@berkeley.edu
Berkeley University of California is seeking an Research Assistant /
services of a competent Undergraduate Student Administrative Assistant
to work Part-time and get paid $350 weekly. Tasks will be carried
out remotely. If interested, Do text your name to (808) 378-1179
so as to proceed
Bernhard Boser
Professor,
(808) 378-1179.
490A Cory Hall