More than 1456 worried citizens reported that they had been threatened via e-mail by someone posing as 'Kill'. The subject of the email is 'quick service'. The scammer is threatening an acid attack unless you pay €5,000. The message comes across as very threatening and really scares people. It is striking that the message is written in bad Dutch. It is probably a translation of the 'hitman scam' that has been around for some time in Anglo-Saxon countries.
Below an example in Dutch. We have not yet received an example in English.
A scammer posing as a hitman contacts you unexpectedly and tells you that he or she has been hired to kill or injure you, but that you will be spared if you pay money. The messages warn not to contact the police. If you contact the scammer, he will give you bank details to pay the money. This type of scam is designed to scare you into transferring money without further assistance or information.
What to do?
- Do not respond to such messages and delete them immediately. These messages are sent randomly. If you reply to the message, you are sending the signal that your email address is in use and you may be scammed again.
- Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or personal information to someone you do not know.
- If you have transferred money, contact your bank as soon as possible.
- If the person keeps threatening you, contact the police.
- Warn your friends and family about this type of scam.
