FBI contacted after a threatening email scam sent to a Columbia College employee

ABC 17 News confirmed that one employee of Columbia College received a recent threatening e-mail from a scammer.

The email’s subject line titled, “Warning!”

ABC 17 News wasn’t able to confirm what was in the content of the email but officials say it was threatening in nature. Implying a serious threat to the employee as well as the employee’s family.

The email stated that the employee was being monitored by various methods, and implied that they will follow through on the threat if the employee does not “comply” with his or her “needs to leave the country.”

According to Columbia College’s public relations director, Sam Fleury, “The scammers sending the emails are “preying” on the fear of the recipients regarding personal safety and that of their families.”

According to school officials, similar emails have been targeting higher institutions since 2011.

Columbia College did contact the FBI after receiving the threat.

Authorities want to remind students and employees that, it is important to never disregard a potential threat but to always read email contents carefully. If there is no real personal information, no matter what he or she implies the content might not be true.

Columbia College says if any student or employee receives any sort of email that is similar do not respond. Instead, forward the email to the college and report it to the FBI.

School officials say there has been no threat to campus.