How to Report Internet Email Scams
Internet email scams are a prevalent crime in which perpetrators seek to steal money from unsuspecting victims through a number of different means. According to the FBI, Internet scams include business frauds, investment frauds, and frauds involving emails from fake foreign officials asking for help transferring money. Internet scams effect hundreds of thousands of people per year. Recent statistics in the Internet Crime Report by the Internet Crime Complaint Center note that in the year 2009, 336,655 complaints were filed. The IC3, a joint FBI/ National White Collar Crime Center agency, handles all email fraud reporting.
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Instructions
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Reporting the Scam
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Go to the Internet Complaint Center website's main page. The main page provides you with links to a variety of information on Internet scams including how to report an email crime, types of scams and prevention tips.
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Scroll down to the "Filing a Complaint with IC3" box. Click on the red "File a Complaint" link. This link redirects you to a new page that offers specific information on the terms and conditions of filing a complaint. Read the terms and conditions and click on the "I Accept" button at the bottom of the page, if you wish to proceed with your report.
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Answer the IC3 questions about your report. These include items that help to easily categorize your specific type of fraud such as spam or fake emails from the FBI.
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Provide information such as the type of email scam (e.g., asking for money); your name, current contact address and phone number; email or web address of the person/company who you are accusing of fraud; the name of the suspected perpetrator; and the address (if known) of the person/company who you are reporting.
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5
Look for an "open the IC3 complaint" confirmation email. This email contains your new complaint ID and a password.
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Tips & Warnings
An investigator may contact you for further information about your report. Providing accurate and full information may expedite your report.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may still be able to file a report with the IC3, if the perpetrator is a U.S. citizen or company.
Save copies of all emails and other supporting documents (e.g., checks and bank transfers) to file with your report.
After the initial review of your complaint, the IC3 will forward your information to the appropriate agency. Do not contact the IC3 for further information, instead contact the agency that has jurisdiction over your specific report.
Do not file Internet email scam reports with non-government/ non-law enforcement agencies. Reporting to an agency other than the IC3 may involve you in yet another scam.
Be certain of your complaint before you make a report. You can not cancel reports made to the IC3.
References
Resources
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