Trend Micro researchers were alerted to the discovery of a phishing attack that involves creating spoofed versions of web pages that ask for sensitive user information, such as login usernames, passwords and bank account numbers. Entering their information into such a page, the sensitive information is collected and sent to the cybercriminal responsible for the page itself, no doubt for malicious purposes. In this case, users are lead to a page where they must confirm their eligibility to win the supposed Reader's Digest cash prize, and it asks for their personal details. With the advertised event being confirmed false, it is also confirmed that whatever information is divulged in this page will be sent to cybercriminals.

Trend Micro recently received samples of an email message that poses as a letter from Reader's Digest India. It informs recipients that they are potential finalists of a supposed sweepstakes. The message then instructs them to click on the link provided in order to access the website so that they could qualify for the cash prize. However, the link instead leads to a phishing site, which requires users to disclose personal information such as their email addresses and the like. Cybercriminals are exploiting the online consumers' anticipation to cash in on lucrative deals, there are many who may be tricked by this latest phishing campaign.

Sometimes phishing emails are easy to spot with their poor grammar and spelling, completely unbelievable subject lines and misaligned copy. However, increasing amounts of phishing emails display official corporate logos and other designs that make them look quite legitimate. Phishing emails, like spam, are typically sent to large numbers of email addresses.

Some recent examples of the 419 scam include one that purported that the reader won a contest related to the London 2012 Olympic Games, asking the user to supply his personal information. Another example targeted football fans by tricking them into believing that they've won an enormous cash prize related to last year's FIFA World Cup.

ITVoir NewsDesk