New Text Message Scam: Pay Me Or I’ll Kill You

Email scam artists in Australia have taken their requests for scammed money to a whole new level, demanding the cash under the promise of death for non-participation.

Thousands of Australians on Monday receive fake test messages and emails demanding that they pay $5,000 to a contract killer or be executed.

Detective Superintendent Brian Hay of the Queensland Police Service warned text message receiving parties on Monday:

“Do not respond. Delete it immediately and don’t panic, because that’s what they prey upon.”

While any stupid moron can send a text message with a threat what surprised police was the technological know-how used to create the campaign. Superintendent Hay tells CNN:

“What is extraordinary in these circumstances is the extent of contact across the Australian landscape. We’ve never seen this before. I’ve never seen this before.”

As shown in the photo above the text message simply reads:

“Sum1 paid me to kill you. Get spared, 48hrs to pay $5000. If you inform the police or anybody, death is promised.”

Potential respondents are then given a Yahoo email address.

Police warn that senior citizens are most likely to fall for the stunt and police believe at least a few people have already paid in order to avoid what they perceived as a real threat.

Over the last two and a half years the “hit-man scam” has surfaced twice in Australia but never on such a massive scale.

Police in Australia believe the scam will continue to surface until everyone is educated about the practice and ignore the threats.