Spooky

Phishing is something I have never experienced before. The website, singabloodypore does tend to draw some unwarranted attention, a few 'you will die' messages and has been hacked, according to my limited knowledge, on at least one occasion. So read the emails below that I received from a ‘Mr Ian Mc Kenzie’. I actually went to London over the weekend and when I presented myself to the reception in the hotel, there actually was an Ian McKenzie registered there. I never met him but after waiting one hour, in the bar of course, I left my phone number. Later the same evening I received a call from a real ‘Ian McKenzie’ stating quite clearly that no such arrangement had been made. So it was a practical joke, a hoax, a joke at my expense. All rather spooky, so I quickly got on the next train back to Edinburgh. Well actually I made the most of my three days in London. So it wasn’t a completely wasted journey.

I am also reporting this incident to the Federal Trade Commission at spam@ftc.gov. As “Ian” claimed to be working for www.italica.rai.it, an Italian television company.

In one way it is nice to know that I may have offended someone so much that they will go to such lengths to send me on a wild goose chase. Unable to undermine claims made in this blog, unwilling to engage in debate, someone had to resort to wasting my time. What they hoped to achieve is unknown, but the blog will continue and I will be more skeptical.

I have removed the majority of my responses to the emails, but you will get a good picture of the discussion that took place. I have left the poor spelling in place. I also tried contacting the Italian televsion company but received no reply.

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Hello Steven,
I read your blog site with interest. I'm the managing editor with an Italian television company. Would you be interested in doing some free-lance work with us? If so, perhaps you could tell me something about your background, what you are doing now, why you left Singapore etc.
Ian

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Hi Ian

I would be more than happy to do some freelance work..

And would be more than happy to provide you with my background information and what I am currently involved in, if you could alleviate some of my reservations regarding making contacts on line.

Could you tell me the name of the Italian television company you work for and if possible a website address.

My apologises for the caution.

Steven
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Ian McKenzie May 28
It's www.italica.rai.it

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Hello Steven,
That's all fairly comprehensive. You seem to have a extremely varied and interesting backgound. We are putting together a series about expats (not necessarily Italians) who have made the decision to move overseas. What we what to avoid is the really bland kind of material that you tend to get in travel prpgrammes etc. We need something that probes beneath the surface and provides an insight into what Singapore is really like. Where are you based now? I'll be coming to London, probably within the next four weeks. Would you be happy to meet? We can pay your travel costs etc.
Ian.

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That's great. I'm travelling to Paris at the end of the week. I will be taking the Eurostar to London after that. Will ask my secretary to make the necessary arrangements. Thinking back, you say that you lived in Dublin. Would you also be able to offer an insight into living in the Irish Republic? Alots of expats are setttling there apparently. Also, in the light of what you have said on your blog site, would you be permitted to reside or even enter Singapore again? Incidentally I studied at the University of Warwick back in the early 70s. I read English and Classical Civilization .
Ian

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Hello Steven,
Would you be able to prepare something on the Dublin lifestyle targeted at someone who might be thinking of relocating there. Just, say 500 words, in preparation for our meeting. Lots of 'bite sized' bits of info that would appeal to a typical televsion audience.Ian

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Hi Steven,
Sorry I haven't been in touch. How are you fixed for the week after next? Also would you be possible for you to give a Powerpoint presentation on Dublin as an expat destination? My vice president has specifically requested this. Sorry! Ian

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Hello Steven,
Yes, I should have explained. Initially we were contemplating employing you as a free-lance writer/researcher. Last week my VP saw your profile and suggested that we might also engage you as a presenter. You have a teaching background, so I assume that you have reasonably good presentation skills. Likewise it's a good way of localizing the content. This is why he want you to do a presentation. Obviously we can't make a firm job offer at this stage but I think that it's safe to say that we will be using your services in some capacity. This is as much as I can say at this stage. I'm in Amsterdam at present and leaving for Milan tomorrow and a bit rushed off my feet...... Give me a few more days and I can firm up on the date.
Regards, Ian.

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Hello Ian,[now talking to himself]
How are fixed for the 16th/17th June? We will be staying at the Holiday Inn, Coram street, Bloomsbury, London. WC1N. It's about ten minutes from both Kings Cross and Euston Stations. Ian

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Yes, everything is prepared. Is Friday alright, say 4 pm? If you could ask for me at reception. Also please remember to keep all tickets/receipts etc. Ian

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