PlayStation Scam Makes FBI Warning List

05.09.2011
Sony PlayStation users are being warned by the FBI about scams targeting them and other online consumers.

The Sony PlayStation fraud involves an unsolicited email, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3.

In the missive, a target is informed that an ad for their "Sony PlayStation 3 Metal Gear Solid 4 PS3 80 GB" has been posted at an online auction site and they're given a "confirmation number" for the posting. Apparently, the scammers are hoping the recipient of the message will try to cancel the ad -- either because they don't want to sell their PlayStation system or they don't have such a system to sell -- and use the attempted cancellation to pry sensitive information from the victim or to infect their computer with malware.

Warnings have been posted online to beware of auction site phishing email scams in general and the PlayStation scam specifically, .

PlayStation owners are , especially since hackers compromised the PlayStation Network earlier this year.

Another prominent swindle currently targeting online consumers involves mortgage seekers and mortgage holders.