'Hit man' e-mail scheme resurfaces in the U.S.

By Dan Thanh Dang

September 7, 2008

The Internet Crime Complaint Center issued another warning about the hit man e-mail scheme that first surfaced a couple years ago and, more recently, earlier this year.

The center said it continues to receive thousands of reports on the hit man e-mail, but it warns that the content has evolved since late 2006.

The two new versions of the scheme started appearing in July. One e-mail instructed recipients to contact a designated telephone number, and the other e-mail claimed the recipient or a "loved one" would be kidnapped unless a ransom was paid. Recipients of the kidnapping threat were told to respond via e-mail within 48 hours, and the sender would provide a location for the wire transfer five minutes before the deadline.

Recipients are threatened with bodily harm if the ransom is not received within 30 minutes of the time frame given. Information on the recipients is included in the e-mail to promote the appearance that the sender knows the recipient, the center said.

The center warns that consumers should always be alert to unsolicited e-mails. Do not open unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links because they might contain viruses or malicious software. Providing any personally identifiable information will compromise your identity. Anyone receiving e-mails like this should file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.