Hingham- Another form of a scam by email were reported to us this week by residents. Two female residents, one 49 and one 75, reported opening emails in which they received death threats unless they paid using Bitcoins. 

Both residents recognized them as scams right away and did not send money. They were upset because of the threats to kill them unless it was paid. Both received emails from unfamiliar email address and were similar in their content. In short, the emails claimed:

The sender is a contract killer and had been hired to kill the resident (using their full name) but they did not really want to carry it out. They offered to give the resident the chance to void the contract if they paid the sender them instead (various amounts only in Bitcoins). If they paid quickly the sender would also provide them evidence of who hired them.

As always, we suggest to never open emails from unfamiliar senders (they can be scams or download viruses) and just delete or send to your junk folder.