Tech Watch | InfoWorld Staff » FBI acts to stop phony e-mail scheme using its name

February 23, 2005 | Comments: (0)

FBI acts to stop phony e-mail scheme using its name

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The FBI decided to publish a statement on its Website this week, cautioning the public that a phony e-mail in mass distribution that claimed to be from the agency was actually a malicious virus.

"These e-mails did not come from the FBI," the agency said in a statement. "Recipients of this or similar solicitations should know that the FBI does not engage in the practice of sending unsolicited e-mails to the public in this manner.

"Opening e-mail attachments from an unknown sender is a risky and dangerous endeavor as such attachments frequently contain viruses that can infect the recipient's computer," the FBI said. "The FBI strongly encourages computer users not to open such attachments."

The messages told the recipients that their Internet use has been monitored by the FBI's Internet Fraud Complaint Center and that they have accessed illegal Web sites, the statement said. The e-mails then direct recipients to open an attachment and answer questions. The attachments contain a computer virus.

"Virus writers are pretty creative and they are always looking fro new ways to attract attention," said Michael Osterman, principal and founder of Osterman Resreach. "They go in trends, such as using Viagra pitches. Right now Homeland Security is a oppressing issue so now you are getting something that says its from the FBI or the IRS because it might have a better chance of being opened. There's nothing new, just a different approach."

The FBI said it has launched an investigation of the scam. Users receiving e-mails of this nature are encouraged to report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Posted by Jack McCarthy on February 23, 2005 05:02 PM

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