Every once in a while there is a new spam tactic that grabs my attention. I recently got one that was from the “FBI” that made me chuckle. Yes, I know its kind of shocking to chuckle at spam but I do when it is pretty ridiculous. I mean, the “FBI” emailed me? *chuckle* Then they cc’ed the IMF. Come on;).
I have the awesome Google email for my domain so it not only put it in the spam folder but also said that it has been used to steal people’s information. Go Google. But I am sure that not every email service does that.
With that said, let me give you all a few things that are warning signs that an email may be spam.
- First thing: The FBI is not going to email you!!!!!
- If there is any question that an account is going to be closed or checked received/stopped you will be called. If are wondering if it is real just call the company.
- All caps is usually a spam flag!
- A “form” letter would be in proper English.
- If it sounds to good to be true, it is.
- Lastly, the FBI Terror watch is NOT going to email you!
And just in case your are curious to see the email I am including it below:
ANTI-TERRORIST AND MONETARY CRIMES DIVISION
FBI HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON DC
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS J.EDGAR HOOVER BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20535-0001
TEL:Â (206) 414- 0078URGENT ATTENTION NEEDED
FBI OFFICIAL NOTICE: WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THROUGH OUR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE MONITORING NETWORK THAT THE SUM OF $10.500, 000.00,HAS BEEN RELEASE FROM A BANK IN AFRICA BEARING YOUR NAME AS THE BENEFICIARY WITHOUT FUND CLEARANCE PAPERS TO CLEAR YOUR NAME AND FUND FROM EVERY TERRORIST/ MONEY LAUNDERING ACTIVITIES.
THE BANK KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES TO EFFECT THIS PAYMENT FROM ANY PART OF THE WORLD TO YOUR ACCOUNT, USED WHAT WE KNOW AS A SECRET DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT PAYMENT (S.T.D.P) TO EFFECT THE PAYMENT.
DIRECT TRANSFERS ARE DIFFICULT AND SECRET DIPLOMATIC TRANSIT PAYMENT (S.T.D.P) ARE NOT MADE UNLESS THE FUNDS ARE RELATED TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND WE ASK WHY MUST YOUR PAYMENT BE MADE IN SECRET TRANSFER IF YOUR TRANSACTION IS LEGITIMATE.
WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO GET INTO TROUBLE AS SOON AS THESE FUNDS REFLECT IN YOUR ACCOUNT, SO IT IS OUR DUTY AS AN INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION TO CORRECT THESE LITTLE PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS FUND Â REFLECTS INTO YOUR PERSONAL ACCOUNT.
WE ADVICE YOU TO CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY, AS THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND ARE BEING HELD IN OUR CUSTODY, UNTIL YOU ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE US WITH THE FUND OWNERSHIP CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE WITHIN 3 DAYS FROM THE COUNTRY THAT AUTHORIZED THE TRANSFER TO CERTIFY THAT THE FUNDS THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE ARE TERRORIST/DRUG FREE OR WE SHALL HAVE CAUSE TO IMPOUND THE PAYMENT AND SUBSEQUENT PROSECUTION.
BASED ON OUR FINDINGS, THIS INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT WISH TO WARN YOU AGAINST SOME MISCREANTS, HOODLUMS AND TOUTS WHO GO ABOUT SCAMMING INNOCENT PEOPLE BY CLAIMING TO BE WHO THEY ARE NOT AND THEREBY TARNISHING THE IMAGE OF THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY.
WE SHALL RELEASE THE FUNDS IMMEDIATELY WE RECEIVE THIS LEGAL DOCUMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET YOUR PAYMENT WITHOUT ANY FURTHER DELAY.
WE DECIDED TO CONTACT YOU DIRECTLY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPER VERIFICATIONS AND PROOF FROM YOU TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE THE RIGHTFUL PERSON TO RECEIVE THIS FUND, BECAUSE OF THE HUGE AMOUNT INVOLVED. BE INFORMED THAT THE FUNDS ARE NOW WITH A TOP BANK IN THE UNITED STATE IN YOUR NAME AND UNDER THE MONITORING/CUSTODY OF THE FBI. AT THE MOMENT, WE HAVE ASKED THE BANK NOT TO RELEASE THE FUND TO ANYBODY THAT COMES TO THEM, UNLESS WE INSTRUCT THEM TO DO SO, THIS IS TO ENABLE US CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATION FIRST BEFORE RELEASING THE FUND TO YOU.
HENCE, YOU ARE TO FORWARD THE FUND CLEARANCE PAPERS TO US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR POSSESSION, IF YOU DO NOT HAVE IT, LET US KNOW SO THAT WE WILL DIRECT YOU WHERE TO OBTAIN THE DOCUMENT AND SEND TO THIS OFFICE. THEREAFTER, WE WILL ASK THE BANK HOLDING THE FUNDS, TO GO AHEAD AND CREDIT YOUR ACCOUNT IMMEDIATELY.
IF YOU FAIL TO PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTS TO THIS OFFICE, WE WILL PROSECUTE YOU AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AGAINST YOU FOR NOT PROVING THE LEGALITY OF THE FUNDS.ALSO FOR PROVE OF LEGITIMATE BENEFICIARY PLS RECONFIRM VIA EMAIL THE FOLLOWINGS:
1. FULL NAME…….
2. OFFICE ADDRESS…….
2. HOME/ CELL PHONE NUMBERS….
3. DOB(DATE OF BIRTH)……….
4. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN OF FUNDS…….CALLÂ 206-414-0078Â TO SPEAK WITH AN INTERNATIONAL AGENT INCASE YOU MAY NEED ASSISTANCE
THANKING YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED CO-OPERATION .
YOURS FAITHFULLY,
SPECIAL AGENT TERRY WILLIAMS,
ON BEHALF OF THE FBI DIRECTOR
MR. ROBERT S. MUELLER.
CC: GENERAL INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT (GID)
CC: Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG)
CC: International Monetary Fund (IMF)
CC: International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOS CO)
CC: International Banking Security Association (IBSA)
CC: World Customs Organization (WCO)
CC: Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
CC: Offshore Group of Banking Supervisors (OGBS)
CC: WORLD CENTRAL BANK (WCB)
CC: Supreme Court Of Nigeria
