FBI Issues Alert of Hit Man E-mail Scam

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) are getting thousands of reports on the hit man e-mail scam. The e-mail first surfaced in the late 2006; since then, the nature of content has remained same, claiming that the e-mail sender has been appointed to murder the recipient.

In July 2008, the IC3 reported a considerable rise in spam e-mails that claim of receiving a contract for killing the recipient and offer to suspend the killing if the recipient provides cash

Moreover, the e-mails occasionally contain personal information of the recipient, such as name, telephone number and address to make them look more authentic or genuine.

Richard Kolko, Special Agent of the National Press Office, Washington D.C., said that unfortunately, the hit man e-mails are still moving wildly and evolving across the internet, as reported by vnunet on August 28, 2008.

He further added that do not get robbed by these fraudsters who are trying their best to steal money and personal information. The recipient can protect himself by forwarding the threatening e-mail to the FBI via IC3 Website - www.IC3.gov.

The FBI also disclosed that one of the e-mails contained very specific demands. The recipient is asked to call at the number provided in it within 48 hours to save his loved one.

Moreover, the e-mail sender gives the location to which wire transfer is conducted five minutes prior to finishing of deadline. It also threats for bodily harm if the money demanded not reached within 30 minutes of the time given. Moreover, the sender includes PII (Personally Identifiable Information) in the e-mail to add an element of authenticity and to give the impression that sender knows the recipient and his location.

In some cases, the e-mails found containing titles, addresses, names and telephone numbers of business executives and government officials. This is primarily done to make scam looks more authentic or real.

Though the hit man e-mail scams have been circulating on the internet for a year now, the sudden rise in number of e-mails has forced the FBI to issue the alert.

Related article: FBI’s ICCC Annual Report Discusses Fraudulent and Non-Fraudulent Complaints

» SPAMfighter News - 9/4/2008