FBI Spam Email Scam
We have become aware of a bogus spam e-mail claiming to be from FBI Director Robert Mueller III. This scam appears to be a typical Nigerian scam; however, the attempt to defraud victims comes in two separate e-mails. The same e-mail address is used to deliver both phases of the spam.
The first e-mail claims to be from FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III. It advises recipients that they are the beneficiary of a large sum of money and that they can claim the money by providing an FBI Identification Record and a Certificate of Ownership. To make the message look more legitimate, information is pasted in the e-mail from the FBI.gov web site defining what an Identification Record is and how to obtain it from the Criminal Justice Information Services Division.
The second e-mail claims to be from Donna M. Uzzell, FBI Compact Council Chairman. The message informs the recipient the Certificate of Ownership is supplied, for a fee, by the country where the funds originated. It requires the recipient to respond to the e-mail for instructions on sending the money to FBI Nigeria, which then will issue the certificate.
At this point the message becomes more threatening, stating the FBI has investigative programs which can track down those who fail to provide the requested documentation. It further states failure to comply will result in charges being brought against the individual by the FBI.
THIS EMAIL IS A HOAX. DO NOT RESPOND. If you receive such an email contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center at http://www.ic3.gov/
In general we recommend anyone receiving such emails or any phone calls requesting financial/personal information to not respond in any manner. Social Security Numbers, banking information such as account numbers, routing numbers and next of kin are the open doors for criminals to electronically steal money and identity. Such information should never be given to persons or companies whom you do not have a trusted relationship. We further recommend if you are contacted by mail, email or over the phone about your bank account give no information, personally contact your banking institution and call your local police department, the Sheriff’s Department, or the District Attorney’s Office. If you are a senior citizen, in addition, you may also call Tulare County Adult Protective Services (559) 623-0651 or the District Attorney’s Office Elder Abuse Unit at (559) 636-5471. More information may be obtained by calling the District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Advocacy and Outreach Program at (559) 636-5471.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest//escams.htm
Contact Person: WILLIAM YOSHIMOTO
Supervising Attorney
(559) 624-1054