E-Mail Hoax Claims to Be From FBI

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 2006 — -- Just because that e-mail says it comes from the FBI, doesn't mean you should trust it.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has warned Internet users and others to be aware of a hoax e-mail that claims to come from FBI Director Robert Mueller and other FBI officials.

According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center -- or IC3 -- notice, the hoax e-mail advises the recipient that he is the beneficiary of a large sum of money. It states further that in order for him to claim the money, the recipient must provide an FBI Identification Record and a Certificate of Ownership.

The e-mail contains information lifted from the FBI's Web site that descibes what an Identification Record is and how to obtain it from the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services Division.

The e-mail concludes with a threatening "If you fail to provide the Documents to us, we will charge you with the FBI and take our proper action against you for not proofing to us the legitimate of the fund you are about to receive. Faithfully Yours, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III"

FBI officials say the hoax is a typical Nigerian scam, which has become more prevalent in recent years. Many of the people who fall victim to these scams are elderly or foreign-born individuals.

Later, individuals receive a second, more threatening notice, claiming to come from Donna Uzzell, another senior FBI official, which says, "It has come to the attention of our Money Trafficking investigation department, that you have some funds valued at U.S $10.5 Million to your name. ... You are under an observational /Investigation in connection with money laundering."

The warning from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, "At this point the message becomes more threatening, stating the FBI has investigative programs which can track down those who fail to provide the requested documentation. It further states failure to comply will result in charges being brought against the individual by the FBI. THIS E-MAIL IS A HOAX. DO NOT RESPOND. Be cautious when responding to requests or special offers delivered through unsolicited e-mail."