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30 September 2006, 07:59
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New E-Scams & Warnings
FRAUDULENT FBI E-MAIL BEING SENT BY LOTTERY SCAMMERS
09/08/06—We have been alerted to a fraudulent e-mail that claims to be from the FBI and attempts to convince recipients to send money to secure prizes won in an international lottery.
The e-mail contains FBI Director Robert Mueller's name and office address and typically includes the subject line, "FBI Internet Fraud Watch/Alert". The return e-mail address may be listed as FBIfraudalert@hotmail.co.uk or FBIfraudwatch@hotmail.co.uk. The e-mail informs the recipient that the FBI, in conjunction with Scotland Yard, has been made aware that he or she has won a substantial prize in a UK lottery that was sponsored by a well-known corporation. Recent variations of the phony lottery scams have claimed affiliation with Microsoft Corporation and MasterCard Worldwide. The e-mail claims that the FBI and Scotland Yard have screened the "Lottery House" and verified that the transaction is legal. It also claims that both agencies have examined the Lottery House's legal procedure and that both have confirmed that it is legal as well. The e-mail instructs recipients to proceed with the transaction, claiming that their funds have been insured and that the FBI and Scotland Yard are monitoring all transactions.
This e-mail and the associated lottery are fraudulent. Victims are instructed to pay thousands of dollars in up-front fees to secure what eventually prove to be nonexistent prizes. Consumers should be very skeptical if they are notified that they have won sweepstakes or lotteries that they have not directly entered themselves. CONSUMERS ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT SITUATIONS REQUIRING UP-FRONT PAYMENTS TO SECURE LOTTERY OR SWEEPSTAKES WINNINGS TYPICALLY ARE FRAUDULENT.
If you have received this e-mail or a similar hoax, please file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Cyber Investigations
Cyber Investigations Home
New E-Scams & Warnings
FRAUDULENT FBI E-MAIL BEING SENT BY LOTTERY SCAMMERS
09/08/06—We have been alerted to a fraudulent e-mail that claims to be from the FBI and attempts to convince recipients to send money to secure prizes won in an international lottery.
The e-mail contains FBI Director Robert Mueller's name and office address and typically includes the subject line, "FBI Internet Fraud Watch/Alert". The return e-mail address may be listed as FBIfraudalert@hotmail.co.uk or FBIfraudwatch@hotmail.co.uk. The e-mail informs the recipient that the FBI, in conjunction with Scotland Yard, has been made aware that he or she has won a substantial prize in a UK lottery that was sponsored by a well-known corporation. Recent variations of the phony lottery scams have claimed affiliation with Microsoft Corporation and MasterCard Worldwide. The e-mail claims that the FBI and Scotland Yard have screened the "Lottery House" and verified that the transaction is legal. It also claims that both agencies have examined the Lottery House's legal procedure and that both have confirmed that it is legal as well. The e-mail instructs recipients to proceed with the transaction, claiming that their funds have been insured and that the FBI and Scotland Yard are monitoring all transactions.
This e-mail and the associated lottery are fraudulent. Victims are instructed to pay thousands of dollars in up-front fees to secure what eventually prove to be nonexistent prizes. Consumers should be very skeptical if they are notified that they have won sweepstakes or lotteries that they have not directly entered themselves. CONSUMERS ARE FURTHER ADVISED THAT SITUATIONS REQUIRING UP-FRONT PAYMENTS TO SECURE LOTTERY OR SWEEPSTAKES WINNINGS TYPICALLY ARE FRAUDULENT.
If you have received this e-mail or a similar hoax, please file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.