Latest Scam - Emails Threatening Death to Recipients

In Watertown, an electronic mail has turned up, transmitted by somebody calling himself "Eddy" and has lent an alarming twist to computer frauds. This message warns that the receiver or his/her family could be put to death if they do not shell out $8,000.

The alleged "Eddy" asserts to be an assassin engaged to exterminate the electronic mail recipient but had second thoughts. He declares that if he receives one-half of the cash directly, his henchmen would hand over the videotape, which would unveil the mastermind who wished to eliminate the receiver. Watertown's message was sent to a staff of the Watertown Police Department.

The message said that the sender had been watching over the recipient for some time now and had found him not guilty of the charges directed at him. It further warned him not to call the police or the threat would be relevant for his whole family. Authorities allege that the computer address, justeddy4@bellsouth.net from where the electronic mail was conveyed isn't a regular forward.

Users in New Jersey and Arizona found identical electronic mails surfacing in their inboxes. Researchers allege the messages are almost same. They also have the similar spelling mistakes.

Users often learn about frauds involving people suddenly winning lotteries or those who can gain wads of money from Nigeria. Only they don't normally warn of homicide, averred Watertown's police captain Scott McMahon, according to Argusleader on October 8, 2007.

The complainant in Watertown did not have any inkling about the person who could have transmitted this message. He didn't have any such matter in his private life that could be reason for him to get this email, appended McMahon.

According to news reported by KXMC on October 8, 2007, Scott McMahon alleged that it seems to be the third such e-mail to surface in South Dakota. He states other police authorities inform him that it seems to be linked to an overseas fraud.

Watertown law enforcement is confident that this is a fraud, intended to frighten victims into forking out their cash. McMahon alleged that due to the menacing words used in these messages, they could be indicted for a particular kind of attack or exaction and considered a grave offense.

Related article: Latest Survey Exposes Spiraling Cost of Data Breaches

» SPAMfighter News - 10/25/2007