Thursday, August 14, 2008

VIRGIN MONEY deal with scam attempts quickly

I was impressed with the speed with which this scam attempt was quickly dealt with by Virgin Finance

the reply

Dear John,


Thanks for contacting Virgin Money.

Virgin Money take security very seriously and always appreciate customers
informing us of their concerns with regards to emails they receive.

I have liaised with our technical and security teams who have confirmed the
email you have received is a scam. Please delete it immediately.

Kind regards,
Virgin Money

My e-mail

Subject: Fw: Virgin Finance

Dear Sirs

We have received several of this type of e-mail

Is it genuine

If it is another type of 419 fraud then we send the e-mail to you so that
you can take further action

Yours faithfully

John ....

The Scam attempt by
Merle Bullard/Raul Delgado

----- Original Message -----
From: "Merle Bullard" <telmamalaquias@yahoo.com.br>
To: <webmaster@.......net>
Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 1:44 PM
Subject: Virgin Finance


> Bienvenido a Virgin Finance !
>
> Nuestra compania esta ampliando sus operaciones en Europa y en el
> caso si Usted reside en Espana,estamos muy alegres que Usted
> desea unirse a nuestro equipo y seremos muy complacidos de tener
a
> Usted trabajando junto con nosotros.
> La posicion de Representante requiere llenar las transacciones de
> nuestros clientes con la informacion de soporte.
>
> Nosotros trabajamos exclusivamente con clientes privados,- lo que
> requiere recibir los fondos con la maxima velocidad para sus
> negocios.
> De este modo nosotros podemos ofrecer un nuevo tipo de
> servicio bancario y financiero a nuestros clientes – y nosotros
> queremos ofrecer e a Usted el puesto del Representante.(trabajo
> medio-tiempo 2-3 horas al dia excepto el fin de semana )
>
> Al principio Sus tareas seran muy basicas aunque meticulosas – Usted
> hara las transferencias para nuestros clientes segun sus
> necesidades. Nuestros encargados van a asistir a Usted en el
> periodo de prueba y explicar todo lo que Usted necesita saber.
>
> Nosotros ofrecemos extremadamente competitivos salarios graduales:
> desde el primer mes Usted va a recibir hasta $ 2000 y su
> siguiente salario sera incrementado si Usted hace su trabajo
> precisamente y al tiempo.
> Ahora Usted esta a un paso de una carrera exitosa.
>
>
> Todo lo que Usted necesita es enviar un e-mail:
> rddelgadoraul@gmail.com
>
>
> Con el numero de telefono y la hora para contactar a Usted y
> responder a todas Sus preguntas.
>
> Gracias con anticipacion,
>
> Raul Delgado
> HR Director, ES department

Gori Georgia - BBC reports Russians are still here

Is Mr Putin really in charge of what is going on? The BBC report that Russian forces are occupying Gori and that there is firing, explosions and tank movement around the town. Has Russia the right to destroy Georgian military property on Georgian territory. This could leave the border open to attack by South Ossetian militia (CET1408)

Russia v Georgia - the bottom line - did South Ossetian militia start the hostilities?

I think that this is the most important question especially in view of the South Ossetian militia looting, robbery and murder in and around Gori which the Russian troops did not appear to stop! I saw a television clip on telivisionshowing this militia firing into Georgia on the 7 August so tried to find out more and found this article on Russian Today

Georgia and South Ossetia exchange fire
August 7, 2008, 8:24

Georgia and South Ossetia exchange fire

An official from Russia’s Foreign Ministry has arrived in Tbilisi in an effort to bring Georgia and its breakaway republic of South Ossetia to the negotiating table. It follows a night of violence in which both sides exchanged fire. South Ossetia says several people have been injured after Georgia launched artillery attacks on two villages.

The number of casualties has yet to be confirmed.

There's been shelling and skirmishes almost every day since Friday when six people were killed.

Both South Ossetia and Georgia blame each other for provoking the military action.

The leader of the self-proclaimed republic of South Ossetia, Eduard Kokoity, said the situation is “very serious”.

”Georgia has tried to build a fortified structure, a block post near the Nuli village. Our reaction to such actions will be very tough because we see them as bandits who open fire on our civilians,” he said.

“Russia is putting in a great deal of effort to promote the idea of peace talks. We treat such initiatives with understanding and believe they are necessary."

But the South Ossetian leader ruled out direct negotiations with Georgia, saying “we insist on the talks including Russia and North Ossetia. We will not hold one-to-one discussions with Georgia,” Kokoity said.

The Russian Foreign Ministry says urgent action is needed. Deputy spokesman Boris Malakhov said Russia “is acting as a constructive and responsible mediator, the aim of which is to diminish the tensions, to restart the negotiating process aimed at settling of the conflict”.

Earlier on Wednesday Tbilisi denied firing at South Ossetia, claiming the violence is designed to wrongly portray Georgia as being aggressive.

The South Ossetian president says he has information that Georgia is planning a large-scale intervention starting in September. Kokoity has ordered around 500 reservists to be called in to swell the ranks of the South Ossetian police force.

He also says a number of volunteers from Russia have said they’re ready to help if Georgia attacks.

“We have an influx of volunteers coming into the republic. So far we see no necessity for them. But those who are arriving are being organised into army units. These units will be under the command of our Defence Ministry,” Kokoity said.

Since the beginning of August, the situation in the conflict zone has intensified.

Around three thousand people have been evacuated from their homes following last week's artillery exchanges. Six people were killed and thirteen injured in sniper and mortar fire between the two sides.

South Ossetia declared independence after the Soviet Union collapsed in the 90s. Georgia rejected the move, saying the region is part of its territory. The resulting armed conflict killed thousands and forced many to leave their homes.

Since the end of the conflict relations have remained tense.