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Documents & Texts from America.gov

05 August 2008
Latest Internet Scam: Posing as the FBI

By Matt Lucky, Embassy Staffer

Special Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) at the American Embassy are working closely with UK law enforcement officers on various scams asking for money, targeting both UK and U.S. citizens. The most recent scheme uses the name of the FBI and its Director, Robert Mueller.

The new mass e-mailing, allegedly from the “Anti-Terrorist and Monitory Crimes Division of the FBI,” is hitting in-boxes belonging to computer-users in the UK.

The e-mail, purportedly from Robert Mueller, states that the recipient has been involved in a scam to steal their money. The poorly worded message goes on to explain that the person is the beneficiary of an $800,000 inheritance, and only through the efforts of the FBI has this scam to steal their money been prevented.

The imposters then direct potential victims to contact an individual “approved by the FBI” to process their claim to inheritance. A payment of $300 is requested to process the claim.

The scam not only lures $300 into the hands of con artists, but also provides valuable credit card information to thieves who then drain the credit of those sending off sensitive information.

Scams like this work on the basis of millions of e-mails flooding cyberspace, targeting those few who are not wary enough to sense trouble.

British and American citizens alike should be aware of this scam. The FBI – the real one – requests anyone who receives this email, or any other they believe to be a scam, to go to www.FBI.gov and fill out an investigation form.

To avoid financial loss, authorities recommend keeping tabs on family members who might be more trusting or susceptible to scams.

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