Full Notification

Recently, citizens have been receiving emails from individuals who identify themselves as "Hitmen." These individuals state that someone has hired them to kill the recipient of the email. The email scares or intimidates the citizens by telling them to contact the "Hitman" by email. Once contacted, they will have you pay them an amount of money to cancel the "Hit." This is a "Phishing Email Scam", sent to hundreds of citizens, in the hopes that someone will respond and send money. Please do not provide any personal information or contact the person sending the email. If you receive this type of email, notify Carson Station immediately. Also, please notify the IC3 by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov



Phishing (also called pharming or whaling) e-mails trick people into sending money or providing personal information such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and Social Security numbers to unauthorized individuals who hijack their information and use it to commit identity theft.


FOLLOW THESE TIPS TO HELP AVOID GETTING "HOOKED" BY A "PHISHERMAN."

DO NOT:

Respond to e-mails, mail, telephone solicitations, raffles or contests from unknown entities.

Answer e-mail warnings that have "undisclosed recipients" in the address line, a blank space next to "Dear," numerous spelling errors, and/or awkward English.

E-mail personal or financial information including credit card or bank account numbers, passwords, Social Security numbers, etc. Most Internet e-mail is NOT secure.

Be fooled by legitimate-looking e-mails even if they contain logos, pictures, copyrights or names of legitimate businesses.

Reply to e-mails or pop-up messages requesting personal or financial information.

Click on links in unsolicited messages which can connect to suspicious websites.

Update personal information online in response to e-mailed requests.

Respond to calls from alleged companies or government agencies which use a recorded message and ask you to call a phone number to update account information. Phishing can also occur by phone. Using Voice-over Internet Protocol technology, scammers request personal information, and then redirect calls to steal the information provided.

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Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff's station. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/



This case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.



Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Carson Station


21356 South Avalon Boulevard

Carson, CA 90745


(310) 830-1123


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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department