FBI Warns of Extortion/Hitman Scam

Kevin C. Donovan, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, state of Alaska, advises that Alaskans may be targeted for an ongoing e-mail-based scheme that threatens death to the recipient by an unknown professional hitman. The fraudster contacts the potential victims via e-mail claiming their team was hired and paid a lot of money by a friend of the victim to kill them. The fraudster demands $10,000 to call off the hit and claims he will provide a tape containing evidence as to who hired him once the amount is paid. The recipient is threatened with murder if they fail to comply. The recipient is also threatened that they are currently being watched by the hitman’s team and that the hitman will kill the recipient’s family if the recipient contacts law enforcement.
Mr. Donovan advises that should you receive a similar extortionate e-mail, you are recommended to contact your local FBI office and file a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s website at www.ic3.gov.
Mr. Donovan also advises that the public is encouraged to visit the Internet Crime Complaint Center’s website to learn more about the different schemes targeting the unsuspecting public and how to identify and report such fraudulent schemes.