March 3, 2008

E-mail warning from Bedford County Sheriff and BCSO Special Investigations Division

Mike Brown and the Bedford County Sheriff's Office, Special Investigations Division are issuing this 'special e-mail alert.' What is described as "Killer-for-Hire" e-mails have arrived in the Central Virginia area.

Sheriff Brown says, "It is essential citizens be aware of what these 'attempts at electronic extortion' are. Citizens are urged to follow each of the following steps in order to fully understand what questions must be answered to determine if the e-mails are serious threats, or a fraud."

How the "Hoax" is conducted by E-mail!

You will receive an e-mail that you are about to be killed, but you are offered a way out. You are offered the opportunity to 'pay for the hired killer' not to harm you. Any financial information you provide, will give the individual trying to extort money from you, the opportunity to 'hit' your bank account!

Be prepared to answer these Questions!

Have you ever been threatened in this manner before ?

Do you have any reason to believe that this threat may be from someone you know and may be valid?

Can you think of anyone who may have sent you the e-mail?

If you can answer "no" to all these questions, the email is most likely a hoax!

What should I do if I receive one of these e-mails?

Do not reply to the e-mail!

Report the e-mail to the BCSO Special Investigations Division!

Report the e-mail to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership of the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center, at http:///www.ic3.gov. Sheriff Brown is a member of the Board of Directors of this organization!

Above all, do not panic...the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, is here to help you!

For additional information go to the following links-

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/jan07/threat_scam011507.htm

http://www.fbi.gov/majcases/fraud/fraudschemes.htm

http://www.ic3.gov/crimeschemes.aspx