Lee County woman’s life threatened by scammers

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A Southwest Florida woman’s life was threatened by scammers.

Lynn Ebaugh received an email saying the only way she could escape, was to pay thousands of dollars.

She didn’t fall for the terrifying note, but now she’s taking the extra step to make sure others don’t pay up.

When Ebaugh woke up this past Saturday, she checked her email like she normally would. However, her inbox held a warning.

“It read, urgent someone that you consider a friend wants you dead.”

The message was a threat, the sender saying he’s a hit man and ready to attack.

“Right now my men are monitoring you, their eyes are on you.”

The only way she could save her life?

“Pay him $3,000 by Western Union.”

Ebaugh quickly figured out it was a scam.

She could tell by the poor grammar and the outrageous claims. But, the idea of it still bothers her.

“It is creepy, you know to read it on your phone, to have it in your possession, you know someone you know wants you dead.”

She filed a report with the Fort Myers Police Department. Now, she wants people to know what happened to her, could happen to you.

“What if some 80-year-old person gets it, or what if somebody whose in a fragile state of mind gets it?”

She’s fearful an innocent victim may pay up, all because they fear for their life.

“They’ll do it just to comply, just to think that they’re not going to have to be frightened anymore.”

So, if you see an email reading, “he wants you dead,” don’t fall for it.