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Hit Man Email Scheme Returns
The Internet Crime Complain Center (IC3) continues to receive thousands of reports concerning the hit man email scheme. Although the email content has evolved since late 2006, the messages remain similar in nature and claim the sender has been hired to kill the recipient.
Two new versions of the scheme began appearing in July 2008. One instructed the recipient to contact a telephone number contained in the email and the other claimed the recipient or a "loved one" was going to be kidnapped unless a ransom was paid. Recipients of the kidnapping threat were told to respond via email within 48 hours. The sender was to provide the location of the wire transfer five minutes before the deadline and threatened bodily harm if the ransom was not received within 30 minutes of the time frame given. The recipients' personally identifiable information (PII) was included in the email to promote the appearance that the sender actually knew the recipient and their location.
Perpetrators of Internet crimes often use fictitious names, addresses, telephone numbers, and threats/warnings regarding the failure to comply to further their schemes. In some instances, the use of names, titles, addresses, and telephone numbers of government officials, business executives and/or victims' PII are used in an attempt to make the fraud appear more authentic.
What you can do to protect yourself
Do not open unsolicited emails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malware. Providing your PII will compromise your identity!
If you receive emails containing threats of violence, contact law enforcement and file a complaint at www.IC3.gov. You should also notify your financial institution immediately if you provided any confidential account information. If you suspect fraud or ID theft on your NWFCU account, email us at fraud@nwfcu.org.
We also suggest you sign up for our Fraud Prevention e-LERT. Our Fraud Prevention e-LERT will immediately advise you when we have added a new article or warning to the ‘Fraud Alert' section of our website.
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