Potential Scam Warning

[Guest]

.

[Patricia SF]

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this, but I wanted to alert the members on the following four teams to the following money solicitation:

There's a man who joined Kiva on April 14, 2011.  So far he has not made any loans, but he has joined the four teams listed below, and he is trying to solicit 10,000.00 for medical expenses.

1.  KivaFriends.org
2.  Kiva Christians
3.  Norway
4.  Mongolia

Here's the message:

"Hi Team,

"Im now desperately need $10000 loan but don't know where to get. Is there any good soul who can lend me the money. I need it for my medical use.

"Thanks"

http://www.kiva.org/lender/agal1204

* * * * *

I contacted customer service yesterday.

[Patricia SF]

Not sure if this is the right thread to post this, but I wanted to alert the members on the following four teams to the following money solicitation:

There's a man who joined Kiva on April 14, 2011.  So far he has not made any loans, but he has joined the four teams listed below, and he is trying to solicit 10,000.00 for medical expenses.

1.  KivaFriends.org
2.  Kiva Christians
3.  Norway
4.  Mongolia

Here's the message:

"Hi Team,

"Im now desperately need $10000 loan but don't know where to get. Is there any good soul who can lend me the money. I need it for my medical use.

"Thanks"

http://www.kiva.org/lender/agal1204

* * * * *

I contacted customer service yesterday.

* * * * *

Follow up received from Ali from customer service today:

"From what I can see, this man has not posted on the team message boards. We have warned him against soliciting funds through the "About Me" section of his lender profile, but as long as he is not actively messaging lenders to solicit funds, we don't need to do more than send a warning. If you notice that he starts to post to message boards, please let us know, and we will take further action."

[RichardF]

If you notice that he starts to post to message boards, please let us know, and we will take further action."

A suggested preemptive solution would be for Kiva to set up its own "watch" feature for any users who have been warned about inappropriate behavior in violation of the ToU.  Another step would be to add the common "Report to Kiva" type of link next to the "Reply" link at the bottom of each post.  These would be enhanced systemic safeguards beyond any specific incident.

[iampaul]

This seems to be the most appropriate existing thread for this note. I received a phishing e-mail this morning, my first-ever playing on Kiva. It's pretty basic, no hidden code or obscured URLs, just a freemail address for any suckers to respond. I've alerted Kiva. For your amusement, here 'tis below.

Paul

Attn:

This is to inform you that Kiva.org has commenced our 2011 new
year loan offer. Kiva.org is giving out Twenty Million US

Dollars each to 5 qualified applicants from all over the world

who can utilize these funds positively on personal/business

purposes, and have it returned within 20years. This loan is

offered at no interest rate, To apply. Send email to

kivafile2011@blumail.org

Thanks,

Kiva.org UK.

www.kiva.org

Kiva.org loan Program

[Amy-in-PHX]

This seems to be the most appropriate existing thread for this note. I received a phishing e-mail this morning, my first-ever playing on Kiva. It's pretty basic, no hidden code or obscured URLs, just a freemail address for any suckers to respond. I've alerted Kiva. For your amusement, here 'tis below.

Paul

"Kiva.org is giving out Twenty Million US

Dollars each to 5 qualified applicants from all over the world

who can utilize these funds positively on personal/business

purposes, and have it returned within 20years."

Kiva is "giving out"?  Lucky thing scam artists seldom know how to write in English.  (All the real Kiva folks I have dealt with, do.)
I wonder what they were planning to charge as an "origination fee" for these $20 million loans.  A mere $100K, by Western Union wire, perhaps?
Thanks for the laughs 

[Peter S]

I've seen something similar before, apparently from the Scottish branch office of Kiva (who knew...)

From Kiva Micro Financial Loan Company
Return-Path: <info@kiva.org>
Received: from 41.203.64.247, Nigeria, GLO-Mobile Network Services
From: "Kiva Micro Financial Loan Company" <info@kiva.org>
Reply-To: [kivamicrofinance@aim.com]
Subject: Attn: Friend,
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010

Kiva Micro Financial Loan Company
190 - 194 Main Street
Barrhead Glasgow G78 1SL
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel:+447045722755
www.kiva.org

Attn: Friend,

Are you looking for a cheap loan today?

We are Private Loan Lender and a Cooperate Financial for real Estate and any kinds of business financing.

We offer loans to individuals, firms and cooperate bodies at 3% interest rate per annual both secured and unsecured at 3% interest rate monthly base, with no credit check up, Loan terms and determinant, loan amount between the sum of $3,000.00usd to 30,000,000.00usd.

For quick processing of your loan request,kindly fill the loan application form below.


Note the email return path is to a legitimate kiva.org email address, but the reply-to is to the scammer's email, and the phone number is of course a mobile.

Inevitable really that scammers will try to capitalize on Kiva's reputation and for the lack of a better word, "brand".


Peter