FBI warns of malicious email scam

The FBI has issued a warning to the public following a deluge of spam emails purporting to be from the agency.

The bogus messages often include pictures of FBI director Robert Mueller, along with the organisation's official seal, letterhead and banner.

"The FBI does not send out emails soliciting personal information from citizens," said the agency.

"The social engineering technique of using the FBI's name is designed to intimidate and convince the recipient that the email is legitimate.

"Please be cautious of any unsolicited email referencing the FBI, Robert Mueller or any other FBI official endorsing any type of internet activity."

The emails are typically a notification of a 'lottery win' or long-lost relative leaving an 'inheritance'.

Other emails offer website monitoring containing malicious attachments, and online auction scams.

The warning comes just six months after the FBI issued a similar alert about spammers using trusted institutions to improve returns.

See also:

International police plan 'Server in the Sky'

New database of criminal identities going worldwide  15 Jan 2008

US security agency leaks data

Damning report slams TSA  14 Jan 2008

Cyber-gangs gear up for 2008

Let's be careful out there  24 Dec 2007

Teenager held in £12.5m web fraud raid

Schoolboy accused of infecting a million PCs  30 Nov 2007

Judge rules internet spying illegal

New blow to the Patriot Act  07 Sep 2007

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