Intelligence Note

Prepared by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

October 5, 2009

Fraudulent E-mail Claiming To Be From DHS And The FBI Counterterrorism Division

Fraudulent e-mails containing the subject line "New DHS Report" have been circulating since August 15, 2009. The e-mails claim to be from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the FBI Counterterrorism Division. The e-mail text contains information about "New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe," and has an attachment titled "audio.exe." The attachment is purportedly an audio speech from Bin Ladin; however, it actually contains malicious software intended to steal information from the recipient's system.

Do not click on any links associated with this e-mail or similar e-mails, it is a hoax.

The FBI does not send unsolicited e-mails or e-mail official reports. Consumers should not respond to any unsolicited e-mails or click on any embedded links, as they may contain viruses or malware.

One example of this fraudulent e-mail message is as follows:

Subject: New DHS Report

New Usama Bin Ladin Speech Directed to the People of Europe Prepared by DHS/I&A Intelligence Watch and Warning Division and the FBI Counter Terrorism Division

(U//FOUO) Media outlets are reporting the release of a new audio tape on Al Jazeera today from Usama Bin Ladin, in which he states that all European countries involved in the Afghanistan war should end their support of American oppression in Afghanistan. In the audio message, Bin Ladin claims direct responsibility for the 11 September 2001 attacks and emphasizes that neither the Afghan people nor the Afghan government had foreknowledge of the attacks.

////Signed////
Charlie Allen
Chief Intelligence Officer
Department of Homeland Security

As with many fraudulent e-mail messages, this message contains multiple spelling errors and poor grammar.

If you have been a victim of Internet crime, please file a complaint at www.IC3.gov.