I am so afraid

[Patri]

I got this email at my workplace! It is from a gmail address. I am a fairly public figure in town, and my phone number is in the book, so I think the guy could have contacted me in person. I just won't sleep tonight!


This is the only way I could contact you for now,I want you to be very careful about this and keep this secret with you until I make out space for us to see. You have no need of knowing who I am or where I am from.I know this may sound very surprising to you but it's the situation.I have been paid some ransom in advance to terminate you with some reasons listed to me by my employer.It's someone I believe you call a friend, I have followed you closely for a while now and have seen that you are innocent of the accusations he leveled against you.Do not contact the police or try to send a copy of this to them,because if you do, I will know,and I might be pushed to do what I have been paid to do.Besides, this is the 1st time I turn out to be a betrayer in my job.I took pity on you,that is why I have made up my mind to help you if you are willing to help yourself.

Now listen,I will arrange for us to see face to face,but before that,I need $5,000. I will come to your home or you determine where you wish we meet;I repeat, do not arrange for the cops and if you play hard to get, it will be extended to your family.Do not set any camera to cover us or set up any tape to record our conversation, my employer is in my control now. Payment details will be provided for you to make a part payment of $2,500 first,which will serve as guarantee that you are ready to you co-operate,then i will
post a copy of the video tape that contains his request for me to terminate you which will be enough evidence for you to take any legal action against him before he employs another person for the job. You will pay the balance of $2,500 once you receive the tape.

Warning; do not contact the police, make sure you stay indoors once it is 7.30pm until this whole thing is sorted out,if you neglect any o fthese warnings, you will have yourself to blame. You do not have much time, so get back to me immediately

Note:I will advise you keep this to yourself alone, not even a friend or a family member should know about it because it could be one of them.

So if you are interested, i await your reply ASAP so i can tell you how you will make the payment.

Thanks.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

It's the "Hitman Scam". The e-mail is verbatim, including typos and grammatical errors.

Here is link at Missouri Attorney Generals Office. Hitman scam (also Killer for hire scam or Assassin scam)

Hitman scam (also Killer for hire scam or Assassin scam)
Related Resources

This frightening scam normally originates in e-mail spam. A consumer receives an e-mail from someone who claims to have been paid to kill him or her. The supposed killer then offers to spare the consumer's life in exchange for money.

This is a scam intended to scare consumers into sending money. There is no evidence to suggest these messages actually come from someone hired to commit murder or any other crime.

See a sample hitman scam e-mail below:

This is the only way I could contact you for now,I want you to be very careful about this and keep this secret with you until I make out space for us to se. You have no need of knowing who I am or where I am from.I know this may sound very surprising to you but it's the situation.I have been paid some ransom in advance to terminate you with some reasons listed to me by my employer.It's someone I beleive you call a friend, I have followed you closely for a while now and have seen that you are innocent of the accusations he leveled against you.Do not contact the police or try to send a copy of this to them,because if you do, I will know,and I might be pushed to do what I have been paid to do.Besides, this is the ist time I turn out to be a betrayer in my job.I took pity on you,that is why I have made up my mind to help you if you are willing to help yourself.​

Notice that the e-mail is totally generic. There is nothing to indicate that the person knows anything about you, your name, your family, where he's tailed you, etc. All the types of details some of which would be provided if the situation were actually true.

 

[CO skier]

If someone thought this had any merit, why would they post it to a timeshare message board rather than contacting the police?

 

[Kay H]

Wow, They're getting more brazen in trying to get money out of you. His/her English isn't perfect but pretty good except for the constant use of present tense. I think it is a hoax but I'd probably report it to the police since it contains a threat. Let us know if you get any followup.

Asking if you are interested. Who would be interested in giving a stranger $5000?

 

[CO skier]

Who would be interested in giving a stranger $5000?

I did a few years ago, cash, but they gave me a '95 Honda Accord EX with 76,000 miles on it in return. (Now it has 178,000 miles on it and running strong; that was the deal of the century).

 

[dioxide45]

If someone thought this had any merit, why would they post it to a timeshare message board rather than contacting the police?

The e-mail said not to contact the police.

 

[easyrider]

http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/telecom/cyberstalking-and-cyberharassment-laws.aspx

This threat is a form of cyberstalking and against the law in most of the states.

http://www.fightcyberstalking.org/report-cyberstalking-case/

http://alexismoore.com/how-to-catch-a-cyberstalker/

Cyber bullying is a federal offence.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Teen-Jailed-Facebook-Britain-Threat,news-4493.html

I dont really know who you should contact but your internet service provider should know what to do.

Bill

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/telecom/cyberstalking-and-cyberharassment-laws.aspx

This threat is a form of cyberstalking and against the law in most of the states.

http://www.fightcyberstalking.org/report-cyberstalking-case/

http://alexismoore.com/how-to-catch-a-cyberstalker/

Cyber bullying is a federal offence.

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/Teen-Jailed-Facebook-Britain-Threat,news-4493.html

I dont really know who you should contact but your internet service provider should know what to do.

Bill

I doubt that the sender is in the US.

 

[Patri]

If someone thought this had any merit, why would they post it to a timeshare message board rather than contacting the police?

Oh CO, I see my sarcasm didn't carry through cyberspace. And I love dioxide's answer.

 

[DeniseM]

Oh CO, I see my sarcasm didn't carry through cyberspace. And I love dioxide's answer.

I recommend that you add a smilie - because, no, it didn't come through.

 

[CO skier]

The e-mail said not to contact the police.

Of course, contact the timeshare police.

 

[geekette]

I recommend that you add a smilie - because, no it didn't come through.

didn't come through here, either. The thread was titled "I am so afraid" and I did think you meant it. I'm glad you didn't!

 

[CO skier]

Oh CO, I see my sarcasm didn't carry through cyberspace.

Hence my comment, "If someone thought this had merit ..."

 

[bogey21]

I know that chances are almost 100% that this is a scam. Nonetheless, I would make sure not to be without my Detective 38 Special just in case. And yes, I am serious. Maybe it is because I live in Texas and yes, have a carry permit.

George

 

[sjuhawk_jd]

Hence my comment, "If someone thought this had merit ..."

Don't worry CO Skier, I got it the first time

 

[BocaBum99]

I would send a response thanking him and his employer. You have been really down and contemplating suicide. If he kills you, your kids will get insurance money. Go for it.

 

[cp73]

Its a definate scam...They do not know you at all. Reply to the email and watch they will want you to send a money gram or wire to some location. Dont worry about it. As mentioned about read it carefully and you can see its there are a lot of grammatical errors. I am sure it was written by someone who does not speak english as their main language.

 

[CO skier]

Don't worry CO Skier, I got it the first time

... I just did not want to seem insensitive if they were serious.

 

[easyrider]

I recommend that you add a smilie - because, no, it didn't come through.

Indeed !! I agree. I actually thought you were afraid Patri.

Now I will sleep better.

Bill

 

[pjrose]

Look at the full header, and I'll bet you see dot some-other-country as the originator. I'd forward to wherever scam emails are supposed to go (other than the 'bit bucket'). It's too late ( or early ) for my brain to remember who gets them...certainly the email provider, and perhaps the FBI?

 

[lvhmbh]

Wow! I thought you were afraid too! Please add an emoticon next time!

 

[Patri]

Sorry folks. As much as scam emails are topics of conversation around here, with their blatant poor grammar and ridiculous claims, I thought it would be clear a longtime TUGGER like me would never fall for it.
Hope you all slept well last night. I did.
I can see how an internet novice might take it seriously. Sad to think what victims could be out there. I bet if a person decides to hand over money, the perp will change the format and not appear at the door, but for safety sake, suggest Western Union.
Don't even know what smilie to end with here.

 

[CO skier]

If you can find an emoticon for "lead balloon," you should use that.

 

[BevL]

Glad to hear as well that you were just kidding when you said you were concerned.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

If you can find an emoticon for "lead balloon," you should use that.

Is a Led Zepillin close enough?