Re: RoboCall Scam

[Nicklaus Giacobe <nxg13 () IST PSU EDU>]

This is common now on the east coast.  We originally saw this from the consulate general phone number you mentioned, 
but now we see the calls from a variety of numbers.  I personally get these once or twice a week on my office and cell 
phones The targets are people who are Chinese, as the message is only in Chinese, and the calltaker you get (when you 
press 1) also only responds in Chinese. The scam goes that caller is told there is something wrong with their visa and 
they have to pay money to get it fixed. I’ve heard of asks in the thousands of dollars…. All a scam of course.  They 
drive on the fear that these folks have about their immigration status.  Even those in current status are convinced to 
fork over cash.

It’d be worthwhile to share with your offices that manage international students and Chinese student groups to get the 
word out about the scam.

---
Nicklaus A. Giacobe, Ph.D.
Director of Undergraduate Programs and Assistant Teaching Professor
Phone: 814-865-8233
College of Information Sciences and Technology
Penn State University
E333 Westgate Building
University Park, PA 16802

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Community Group Listserv <SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU> On Behalf Of Hudson, Edward
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2018 6:10 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] RoboCall Scam

We are being hit with a robo call scam. Financial Services, Accounts Payable and Audit department main line have been 
getting repeated robo-calls within the past hour from a number labeled as “Consulate General” with a number of 
213-807-8078<tel:213-807-8078>.  The recorded voice is in Chinese.  A translation conducted appears to be a financial 
scam similar to the typical IRS type asking for funds.
We are blocking and sinkholing and the number appears one or two digits off from other similar reports to municipal 
agencies but I wanted to give you all a heads up. Happy CyberSecurity Awareness month!

Best Regards,
Ed Hudson, CISO
California State University, Office of the Chancellor