A Ridgefield woman says she has received a chilling death threat from someone who wants $12,000 — or else.
“This email scam is an outrage!” the woman said.
The scammer’s message says: “I know this may sound very surprising to you. … I have been paid some ransom in advance to terminate you with some reasons listed to me by my employer. He has provided us with your name, picture and other necessary information’s [sic] we needed about you.”
The scammer then gives the woman’s name, address and cellphone number.
At least six times, the sender warns the woman to keep his email secret and not contact police.
The sender says his employer is “someone I believe you call a friend. I have followed you closely for a while now and have seen that you are innocent of the accusations he leveled against you.”
As a result, the email says, “I took pity on you.”
It speaks of the sender’s plans to betray his employer for the first time.
“Now listen, I will arrange for us to see face to face, but before that, I need $12,000.” And it warns, “Do not arrange for the cops, and if you play hard to get, it will be extends [sic] to your family.”
If the woman pays a first installment of $5,000, the email says, the sender will give her a videotape of his employer’s order to kill her, which she can use against the employer.
“You will pay the balance of $7,000 once you receive the tape.”
Death-threat scams have been reported in other areas, but it is the first time one has been provided to this reporter.
The threats are empty and the hit man doesn’t exist, officials said, adding that if the woman paid the money, the sender likely would want more.
John Branton: 360-735-4513 or john.branton@columbian.com.
