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Public Safety Alert: “Death Threat” E-mail Scam
February 12, 2008, Volume 54, No. 21

The Division of Public Safety is issuing a public safety alert after receiving numerous inquiries concerning a threatening e-mail that has been circulating around campus. This e-mail is from an alleged ‘hit man’ who makes a death threat against his target, the recipient of the e-mail. The sender then promises the termination of the contract in exchange for money.

Upon further investigation of the e-mail’s source, DPS has determined that the e-mail is a scam and is currently the subject of over 100 complaints submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Unit. The e-mail’s intent is to frighten recipients and compromise the security of their personal information. Please note that the FBI’s investigation has not produced any credible action resulting from these threats.

DPS strongly recommends that individuals do not respond to any unsolicited or suspicious e-mails. All persons should be aware that providing any personal information in response to an unsolicited e-mail can compromise their identity, which creates the risk of identify theft and other financial issues.

DPS encourages all recipients of such e-mails to notify the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center by filing a complaint at www.ic3.gov or contacting their local FBI field office directly.

Please report all suspicious activity that occurs on campus to the University of Pennsylvania Police Department by calling 511 from a campus phone, (215) 573-3333 from off-campus or cell phones, or from any Blue Light Emergency Phone. To report suspicious activity occurring off-campus, please call the Philadelphia Police by dialing 911.

Correction: Gates Pavilion Transit Stop

There was a discrepancy in the article “Three New Transit Stops” in the January 29 edition of Almanac. The next to last paragraph of this article mentions that Gates transit riders would have to wait outside for their ride after 10 p.m. A security officer from the UPHS bike patrol will be at the Gates Transit Stop from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. daily, until the electronic security planned for this location is installed. This will afford riders the opportunity to wait inside the Transit Stop with a security presence. 

Related: Campus-Wide UPennAlert Emergency Notification Drill

Almanac - February 12, 2008, Volume 54, No. 21