A spam e-mail claiming to be from FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole is currently being circulated indicating that the recipient is the beneficiary of a large sum of money, which they will be permitted to access once fees are paid and personal banking information is provided. The appearance of the e-mail leads the reader to believe that it is from FBI Deputy Director John S. Pistole.
This e-mail is a hoax, the FBI says. Do not respond.
It’s the latest in a series of scam e-mails given the appearance of legitimacy through the use of pictures of FBI officials, seals, letterheads, and/or banners.
These frauds claim to be from domestic as well as international FBI offices. The typical types of schemes utilizing the names of FBI officials and/or the FBI are lottery endorsements and inheritance notifications, but can cover a range of scams from threats and malicious computer program attachments (malware) to online auction scams.
Consumers should be wary of any unsolicited e-mail referencing the FBI, Director Mueller, Deputy Director Pistole, or any other FBI official claiming that the FBI is endorsing any type of Internet activity.
The FBI urges consumers to guard their personal information and account information carefully, and never give any personal, credit, or banking information in response to unsolicited e-mails.
If you received a suspicious e-mail, file a complaint at www.ic3.gov.
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