Hundreds of Australians have received death threats by SMS from a scammer who threatened to kill the recipients unless they paid a $5000 ransom.
Police across all states were investigating the scam. Victoria Police has this morning fielded more than a hundred calls about the text.
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The messages were thought to have originated overseas and were sent via Voice over IP.
Phone numbers could be gained from directories using several methods, but it was as yet unclear how these numbers were accessed.
The NSW Police criminal investigations wing rather than the cyber crime unit will investigate the matter as it is regarded as extortion.
NSW Police Superintendent Peter Cotter will address media within the hour.
The SMS read:
"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
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