GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Don’t respond to a text message claiming a hit has been put out on you and your family.
Threats by text may be the latest way scammers are trying to get money out of innocent victims, but Lieutenant Rick Belanger says they are investigating and looking for more victims to see if it is more than that.
“We are hoping to get that reach, and maybe we will connect those dots to see if it is something that is just trending right now.”
Officers say someone reported receiving this text message from phone number 920-306-2579:
“I want you to read this message very carefully, and keep the secret with you till further notice, You have no need of knowing who i am, where am from, till i make out a space for us to see, i have being paid $10,000,00 in advance to terminate you and your relatives with some reasons listed to me by my employer, its one i believe you call a friend , i have followed you closely for one week and three days now and have seen that you are innocent of the accusation, Do not contact the police or F.B.I or try to send a copy of this to them, because if you do i will know, and migh.”
The message is cut off at that point, and is accompanied by what police call a “poor” image of a gun.
Belanger says the fact that the text threats indicate possible death of the victim or family, and even come with the attached photo of a gun is a concern, but an even bigger concern is that the message is cut off and does not make a request for money, like most scams would.
“We will be digging a little harder to try to get to the full message, and get a little better idea of how this is happening.”
The phone number comes from a Google phone, which can be accessed from outside the U.S., police say.
Belanger says they’ve since determined that about a dozen other people received the same text message, and all 12 work are employed at the same place.
Investigators think the message is a scam and responding to it would lead to further messages demanding money.
Police remind citizens to never give out credit card numbers, gift card numbers or any other financial account numbers to unfamiliar people.
Belanger says it is important to contact police if you receive this type of message.
