Phishing fraud features 'FBI' email

The bureau warned Tuesday that a fraudulent email scheme is telling users their internet use is being monitored because they have accessed illegal websites. The email then directs users to open an attachment, which is actually a zip file containing a variant of the w32/sober virus, to answer questions.

The FBI warned that the email appears to be sent from mail@fbi.gov, post@fib.gov and admin@fbi.gov and has contact information for Steven Allison, a supposed FBI employee.

The agency warned: "These emails did not come from the FBI. Recipients of this or similar solicitations should know that the FBI does not engage in the practice of sending unsolicited emails to the public in this manner."

Saying it is investigating the scheme, the bureau encouraged victims to report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership between the bureau and the National White Collar Crime Center.

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