FBI Issues Warnings About New E-mail Scams
WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued the following warnings regarding a new batch of Internet and E-mail schemes:
AN INCREASE IN INTERNET SCHEMES PURPORTEDLY FROM THE FBI
We have increasingly received reports of fraudulent schemes misrepresenting the FBI and Director Robert S. Mueller III. The E-mails may include pictures of the FBI Director, the seal, letter head, and banners. The letters may also claim to come from domestic or foreign FBI offices.
Most of the schemes that use the director’s name or refer to the FBI are lottery endorsements and inheritance notifications. They also include threat and extortion E-mails, Web site monitoring containing malicious computer program attachments (malware), and online auction scams.
Beware of any unsolicited E-mail referencing the FBI, Director Mueller or any other FBI official endorsing any type of Internet activity.
Fraudsters pretending to be from the FBI-which is an old trick-hope to cash in by intimidating their victims.
If you have experienced this situation please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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SPAM INVOLVING THE U.S. MILITARY
We continue to receive reports of spam E-mail which claim to be from an official of the U.S. military sent on behalf of American soldiers stationed overseas. The scam E-mails vary in content; however, the general theme of each is to request personal information and/or funds from the individual receiving the E-mail.
Beware of any E-mail received from an unknown sender which either requests personal information or asks for money for any reason. We recommend against opening E-mail from unknown senders because they often carry viruses or other malicious software.
If you receive an e-mail similar to this, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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GREETING CARD SCAM
We continue to receive reports of Internet fraud related to electronic greeting cards containing malware (malicious software). The cards, which are also referred to as E-cards or postcards, are being sent via spam.
Like many other Internet fraud schemes, the perpetrators claim the card is from a family member or friend. Although there have been variations in the spam message and attached malware, generally the spam directs the recipient to click the link provided in the E-mail to view their E-card. Upon clicking the link, the recipient is unknowingly taken to a malicious Web page.
Beware of unsolicited E-mails. It is recommended not to open E-mails from unknown senders because they often contain viruses or other malicious software.
If you have received an E-mail similar to this, please file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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