The latest trend in Russian language spam shows that spammers have started promoting MMF (Make Money Fast) schemes where money can easily be made with the use of Binary Options trading.
The sample observed by Symantec has the usual, spam traits including a “catchy” subject which highlights a large sum of money someone is making every month, to grab the attention of spam recipient.
The spam is sent from mail.ru, the largest free email service in Russia, with the account name stating the age of the person linking it to the subject line. The header is as followed when translated into English:
Subject: $3700 a month – this retiree making more than you?
From: pensioner.vladimir@mail.ru
This is quite a good trick especially before the festive season when many people are stretched with finances.
Figure. A sample of spam email which highlights a pensioner making a lot of money
The body of the message advertises Samara region pensioner’s high income made with the help of Binary Code, and the user is then asked to click on hyperlink to get more information. The hyperlink is in fact a hijacked domain, registered in 2008 which belongs to web design company maxuz.com. It is mainly used for redirection to another domain.
The other domain named binarytraders.ru is registered more recently in August 2013 and is likely to have been created specifically for this kind of spam. The domain’s main page has a list of advantages on why one should be involved in Binary Code trading along with a video with full instructions. It also adds that Binary Options is currently the biggest money making tool available on the internet.
Symantec has blocked this spam, but we wish to remind users to be more alert this Christmas season and beware of quick money schemes.