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How do I track down who owns a Gmail account?

I need to find the sender of an email I received that was a death threat and the domain was @gmail.com. I have contacted the police and fear it will take too long for them to find out any information. Is there anyway you can assist me? The email address was deadlykillers61@gmail.com.


Dave's Answer:

Sounds like a terrible sort of message to receive, no question, but before we start calling in the local SWAT team and explaining to your family why it's time for WitSec, the witness protection program, it's worth asking a few questions.

For example, do you have enemies? More to the point, do you have enemies so passionate that they would actually kill you?

Outside of dramatic movies and TV show actors, I don't know of anyone who actually has enemies so passionate about their health and well-being. Even people who have been abusive of former spouses, people who have had terrible parents, etc. It's a big, big step from "I hate you" to being a credible threat to your life.

Further, it turns out that email death threats are actually the latest scam, depressingly enough. Checking with the Federal Bureau of Investigation reveals that they have sent out a series of press releases warning of just this sort of scam. Most recently as reported by KSBY 6: Death threat email scam.

That story explains: "The FBI first sent out a warning on this scam about a year ago. To date, they have about 115 complaints filed. They say there is no question this is a cruel hoax, and it is best just to delete the message and move on."

You also have to wonder about the email address. I mean, if they were deadly killers, do you think they'd register the email address "deadlykillers61@gmail.com" and use it? (and are there really 60 other people using that same base address? Holy cow!) If you Google that email address, you'll find you're not the first to receive this sort of scam either. Check out this link: Life threatening email scam.

Please, delete the message, call the local police and tell 'em it's a common scam and the FBI's already aware of it, and then get back to your life, knowing that it's just some scary-stupid method of trying to separate you from your money and scare you a bit. Ugly, yes. Stupid, yes. A genuine, credible threat on your life? Not a bit.


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Categorized: Google Gmail Help   (Article 7968, Written by )
Tagged: fbi, gmail, google, rip-offs, scams
Previous: What's New in IRS Scams?
Next: How can I stop Twitter sending updates to my cellphone?




Reader Comments To Date: 3

Ismail said, on February 18, 2009 8:04 AM:

If you do not know the answer, you should at least say “NO��?

Murray Sid said, on May 21, 2012 4:16 PM:

Dave,

Our company runs online contests. We just got an email from someone who says we're a fraud and that we don't give out the prizes we claim to. In fact, since 2010 we've awarded $20,000 in cash prizes. We have bank records to prove this.

But when I responded to the accuser's email (Louise Morgan ), the mail bounced back. I'm worried that the sender will publicize false information about us.

Is there any way to track down the person who send us the accusing email. I've looked for her on LinkedIn and done a Google search...to no avail.

Alternatively, is there a way to get Google to reveal her identity?

Thanks very much.

Murray
P.S. Weirdly, two months ago this person wrote to us on a different topic. When we responded to her, the mail did NOT bounce back.

Komer said, on November 8, 2012 7:59 AM:

A friend has run into similar situation and asked me for help in tracing the sender of the email from a gmail account. It's not a death threat to contact the police, but is very disturbing. I don't know how to and hope to get help from you or someone more knowledgeable. Is here any way to find the email senders info? Anyone knows how?

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











I will never send you any unsolicited email. Ever.






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