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DOJ E-mail Hoax

A new e-mail attack variant similar to attacks previously launched on the IRS and Better Business Bureau. The spoofed e-mail claims to be from the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ). We have been tracking these attacks and have previously reported on them on our site.

The message claims that a complaint to the USDOJ has been filed against the recipient's company. The e-mail informs the reader that a copy of the original complaint has been attached to the e-mail.

The attached "complaint" is a Trojan Downloader .scr file with an MD5 of aeb784bc17c4c7e6edc5f1faaa9ed24f.

None of the major anti-virus vendors detected the malicious code.

E-mail screenshot:

Actual text of e-mail hoax:

Dear Mr. xxxxxx,

A complaint has been filed against the company you are affiliated to, in regards to multiple unauthorized third party tax inquiries.

The complaint was filed by Mr. James Collins on 29/03/2008 and has been forwarded to the IRS and the US Department of Justice.

IRS Complaint Case Number: #716B31
Date: 29/03/2008

IRS Complaint with appropriate information attached.

You may find a copy of the original complaint and contact information for Mr. James Collins attached.

Disputes involving consumer products and/or services taxes may be arbitrated through the IRS. Unless they directly relate to the contract that is the basis of this tax dispute, the following claims will not be considered for arbitration:

Claims for personal injuries;

Claims that have been resolved by a previous court action, arbitration, or written agreement between the parties.

If an arbitration is required to settle the tax dispute, Internal Revenue Service offers binding arbitration service for disputes involving marketplace tax transactions. Arbitration is a convenient, civilized way to settle disputes quickly and fairly, without the costs associated with other legal options.

© 2008 Internal Revenue Service All Rights Reserved.

 

 

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