FBI warns against new inheritance scam

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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has exciting news for you: a diplomat is on his way to your home to deliver an inheritance of $3.7 million.

But even though the e-mail announcing the windfall came from an official-looking .gov account, it’s just a new variation on an old scam. The FBI issued an alert today about the e-mail that claims the customs agency has checked out ‘a diplomat’ delivering the money to your residence. ‘We have done our due diligence and have confirmed that you are legitimate beneficiary of the fund,’ the message says with less than grammatical accuracy. All you need to do is reply with certain pieces of information, such as address, date of birth, etc.

Of course, it’s a perfect recipe for identity theft. The FBI advises not to respond at all, and to file a complaint at the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

-- David Colker