The FBI does not send unsolicited email.

That’s the simple message behind a press release just issued by the government agency. They were forced to put out this release because many residents in the state of Mississippi have received a scam email which claims to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI says that they don’t send out these types of emails and that clicking on any embedded link could result malware, phishing, or any number of headaches.

Here’s what the email in question looks like:

From: FBI ALERT

Date: February 2, 2013, 5:47:06 p.m. CST

To: undisclosed-recipients:;

Reply-To: FBI ALERT

We have an information for you regarding the person you are transacting with online. You need to see this yourself. Contact us immediately for this is very important to you. Keep it to yourself and contact us, get back to us immediately. There is something you need to know about this person or you might end up loosing everything you ever worked for. Stop e-mailing until you hear from us. Contact FBI secret service with the e-mail below [email protected] FBI secret service.

Other than the fact that it sounds like total horsecrap, you should be tipped off by the ibgen.com.br address. And what the hell is the FBI secret service?

Anyway, the advice here is the same as with any scam email. Don’t reply with any personal information and don’t click anything. That’s the surest way to maintain your safety.

And in the future, know that the FBI will never send you unsolicited emails. It’s that simple.

[FBI via Forbes]