REAL ESTATE NEWS
Downtown Los Angeles, CA — This morning at 8:56 AM Pacific, loft specialist Realtor Corey Chambers received an SMS message from a hitman. The text reads, “Someone paid me to kill you. If you want me to spare you, I’ll give you two days to pay $5000. If you inform the police or anybody, you will die, I am monitoring you.” #coreychambers
For broker Corey Chambers, a veteran U.S. Air Force information specialist, and modern-day real estate fraud sleuth, the text is easily recognizable as an example of today’s popular illegal fraud scheme called the Hitman Scam.
Scamnet reports that scammers have reached a new low with this vicious 
scam that threatens to kill people unless they give in to demands and pay thousands of dollars to an alleged assassin. #deaththreat
Known around the world as the “hitman” scam, it first surfaced in 2007 as an email, and has since evolved to SMS text messages.
The sender claims to be a hitman who has been hired to kill the receiver of the message, but will spare their life if the victim sends them money, typically between $1,000 and $100,000.
The sender claims they are watching the victim, and the fraudster warns not to report the SMS or email to police.
Chambers reminds all internet users to “never believe anything on the internet, email or mobile text message until after it is verified.” | VIDEO
What To Do If You Receive A Hitman Scam Death Threat
Don’t be alarmed. The email and SMS are being sent randomly to thousands of harvested email addresses and phone numbers.
Local and overseas police are urging people to ignore it, saying it is an empty threat and their life is not in danger.
Replying to the SMS or email will only alert the scammers that they have a live account and they could escalate the intimidation, and make more threatening demands.
One version of the email scam reads: “I am very sorry for you, is a pity that this is how your life is going to end as soon as you don’t comply. As you can see there is no need of introducing myself to you because I don’t have any business with you, my duty as I am mailing you now is just to KILL you and I have to do it as I have already been paid for that.”
The email goes on to say that a friend “wants you dead” and has paid the hitman a large amount of money. The so-called friend has provided your details and the hitman’s team has tracked you down and are watching you.
The email goes on to warn: “Do not think of contacting the police or even tell anyone because I will know. Remember someone who knows you very well want you dead! I will extend it to your family, incase I notice something funny.”
L.A. real estate professional Corey Chambers received the typical SMS version that reads verbatim: “Someone paid me to kill you…. you will die, I am monitoring you.”
Other text messages may be longer, containing the same or more text, while others are broken up into shorter messages.
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Copyright © This free information provided courtesy L.A. Loft Blog and LAcondoInfo.com with information provided by Corey Chambers, Realty Source Inc, BRE#01889449 We are not associated with the homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact (213) 880-9910 or visit LAcondoInfo.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.