(((It's "tragedy spam" season, and the net is seething with consummately evil hucksters pretending to relieve the stricken Chinese while robbing the charitable. You can be sure the FBI's on top of this global crime wave, though, because they're thoughtfully warning readers of their website to avoid unsought messages from the FBI.)))
Link: Federal Bureau of Investigation - New E-Scams & Warnings.
http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm
AN INCREASE IN INTERNET SCHEMES CLAIMING TO BE FROM THE FBI
01/04/08—We have increasingly received reports of fraudulent schemes misrepresenting FBI agents, officials, and/or FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III. The fraudulent e-mails give the appearance of legitimacy due to the usage of pictures of the FBI Director, seal, letterhead, and/or banners. The e-mails may also claim to come from our domestic or overseas offices.
The types of schemes utilizing the names of FBI agents, officials, or the Director’s name are typically lottery endorsements and inheritance notifications. However, other fraudulent schemes include threat and extortion e-mails, website monitoring containing malicious computer program attachments (malware), and online auction scams.
The social engineering technique of utilizing the FBI’s name is to intimidate and convince the recipient the e-mail is legitimate.
The FBI does not send out emails soliciting information from citizens.
Please be cautious of any unsolicited e-mail referencing the FBI, FBI Director Mueller, or any other FBI official endorsing any type of Internet activity.
If you have experienced this situation please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
