Hitman SMS Currently in Circulation
Monday, 23 July 2012 - 12:13pm
Police around the country have been receiving reports today (Monday, 23 July 2012), concerning an unsolicited SMS text message threatening the death of the recipient.
The SMS states:
“Sum1 paid me to kill you. get spared, 48hrs to pay $5000. If you inform the police or anybody, death is promised E-mail me now: killerking247@yahoo.com”
Tasmania Police would like to advise any recipients that the message is a hoax/scam. Hoax hitman threats similar to this have been circulating on-and-off, by both email and SMS, for many years.
There have been numerous reports to Tasmania Police today (Monday, 23 July 2012), both at police stations and via the Police Assistance Line 131 444.
Anyone receiving the message should simply delete it.
Similarly, the best course of action to take on the receipt of any unsolicited email is to delete the message without opening it (as some emails can contain malicious software designed to infect computers).
Further information regarding how to deal with unsolicited email is available on the Australian Communication & Media Authority’s website.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission also operates the ScamWatch website, which provides further information on Internet scams and safety.
