Important Security Notice: Beware of Recent Phishing Emails!
We want to alert our community to another recent phishing attempt targeting our temple. Some members have received fraudulent emails that appear to come from Rev. Murakami but are actually sent from the email address rev.reverend@keemail.me. These emails request gift cards or money and will typically start by instructing you not to call Rev. Murakami and to work solely through email, claiming it is an urgent and confidential matter—such as surprising temple members with a gift.
It’s important to note that Rev. Murakami’s official email has not been compromised. The fraudulent emails are coming from a different address, likely created by scammers using the reverend’s name because he is a public figure. This tactic is intended to exploit the trust and generosity of our community, especially given the heightened demands on Maui due to our disaster area status.
Please remember that Rev. Murakami will never ask for gift cards or any form of reimbursement via email. If you receive such an email, do not respond or click on any links, as these may compromise your computer’s security. First, call the temple directly to verify the email’s authenticity.
After verification, it is crucial to file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov. Reporting is easy and important; provide as much information as possible. The FBI relies on these reports to identify patterns and build cases against the perpetrators, who often target elderly individuals. Cyber crimes involving people over 60 can result in higher penalties, making timely reporting essential.
By staying vigilant and reporting suspicious emails, we help protect our community and support efforts to combat cy