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(link sends e-mail)
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(link sends e-mail)>
Date: Mon, Jul 12, 2021, 5:34 AM
Subject: Berkeley University of California - Research Assistant
To: Recipient@berkeley.edu(link sends e-mail)
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