Hitman Scam Attacks Users of Computer in New Zealand

As per the officials at Consumer Ministry of New Zealand, as the 2008 Fraud Awareness week (March 3-10, 2008) came to an end, a new mail scam was reported to the website of SCAMwatch that provides information on different types of scams, suggests the customers to be more careful and not reply any unknown mail.

The mail, called as "hitman scam", has reached New Zealand. The e-mail threatens the users to fulfill their demands and pay thousands of dollars to a cyber extortionist.

Consumer Affairs Minister, Judith Tizard, said that this kind of scam variety shows the requirement of programs like Fraud Awareness Week. Although many users can easily recognize the scam but a method like this can be dangerous and create havoc, as reported by Scoop on March 10, 2008.

Tizard also informed that this is a really malicious scam and can bring extreme destruction and shows how much the scammers can stoop to get people's money.

The mail claims that a friend wants the receiver to die and he has hired the sender to kill him. If he contacts the author and pays him, then the contract will be delayed or cancelled. The mail even directs the user not to call the police or anybody else. And if they inform anybody, then the sender will start threatening receiver's family.

There are various types of the hitman scam whose demand varies from $1,000 to more than $100,000. These types of mails are sent to many e-mail addresses in the US and recently in Australia. New Zealand has also started receiving this scam and SCAMwatch has been informed about that.

Overseas police are encouraging people to ignore the mail, assuring no danger and that their life is secure. The users of New Zealand are also advised to do the same. If they reply, it means further entangling with the attackers and hence more threats.

Even if the user thinks that the threat is valid and their life is in danger, then they should contact the local officials and police. Tizard advised that as with all scams the users of New Zealand should complain this type of scam to SCAMwatch so that the others can also come to know about it and can be saved.

Related article: Hitman Scam E-mail makes place in U-M Inboxes

» SPAMfighter News - 3/21/2008