FBI Cautions about Fake Homeland Security E-Mail

Andrew G. Arena Special Agent-in-Charge has said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has got complaints about a scam e-mail that appearing as formal communication from the bureau is being delivered into the mailboxes of Michigan residents and others countrywide. NewBaltimore published this on June 8, 2011.

Using Robert Mueller Director of FBI's name and the bureau's stamp, the e-mail tells the recipient that he must get in touch with the Department of Homeland Security to submit $350 for acquiring a Clearance Certificate otherwise he'll be legally charged. Victims of the e-mail say that the FBI stamp being used makes the correspondence appear legal and genuine.

Andrew G. Arena, who functions for the FBI Detroit unit, stated that because the e-mail represented correspondence from the FBI, it acted as an intimidation trick applied for making recipients believe that the message was authentic, although in reality it wasn't so. He added that the FBI didn't ever distribute e-mails asking for money or personal details from citizens. LivingstonDaily.com published this on June 9, 2011.

Stated Sandra Berchtold, special Agent and FBI Detroit's spokeswoman, the scammers played the above ruse for inflicting fear. She too added that the FBI didn't distribute e-mails asking for money or personal details from citizens. Detnews.com published this on June 7, 2011.

There's even a threatening in the scam e-mail that incase recipients don't deposit the payment it could mean legal action against them. Consequently, more people are falling for the scam.

Likewise, another malicious e-mail campaign has gotten widespread currently. This one directs recipients for setting new accounts and getting money in return. The e-mail claims that its readers have won a lottery, therefore they must credit the check the company supposedly issued as well as remit money for meeting tax payments, alerted the FBI within its warning message. NewBaltimore published this on June 5, 2011.

Nevertheless, following the above scams, FBI warns residents that anybody worried of an e-mail scam must get in touch with the police instantly. Moreover, he should inform about the incident to the FBI or Federal Communications Commission by accessing their authorized site www.ic3.gov.

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

» SPAMfighter News - 6/21/2011