14 DAY TRIAL // The latest 419 scam email pretends to come from the FBI’s Executive Deputy Director, accusing recipients of performing a large number of illegal transactions.
The phony email bears the subject "You are on the FBI wanted persons list. Reply now to clear your name," and warns the recipient that due to the large number of transactions from illegal lottery winnings and bank transfers he attracted the attention of the law enforcement organization.
“The Cyber Crime Division of the FBI gathered information from the Internet Fraud Complaint Center (IFCC) of how some people have lost outrageous sums of money to these impostors,” reads part of the email provided by Hoax Slayer.
“You are required to response immediately and know what you are required to do so as to stop your name from been on the web list and if you refuse to comply with this, we will now include your name and picture on our official website and you will join the other wanted persons. Go through this link carefully.”
The link contained in the notification points to a legitimate webpage on the FBI’s official website where fugitives are listed, probably to make the whole thing as realistic as possible.
Individuals who fall for the scam and reply to the email are later requested to pay an amount of money, allegedly needed to cover fines, legal costs or other fees.
The victims are also required to provide sensitive information, such as credit cards details and other data that may give the crooks access to private accounts.
Internet users who encounter such emails in their inboxes are advised to immediately delete them.
We have recently learned that these emails are no joke. A man from South Korea responded to such an email and ended up being kidnapped along with his daughter by a Nigerian criminal gang.