How to tell who sent you a threatening email?

Question

Okay I posted a horrifying email I got about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I took it down, so IF the person that sent it doesn't know I am looking into what I can do.

I have a good idea who sent me this email, but I am not 100% sure. How can I make sure who its from, before I take it to the police?

Also can I just print it out and take it to the police, and let them handle the rest?

Also ... since I have waited almost 2 weeks, will the police take me serious? Or should of I taken it in alot sooner?

It was from myspace .. can I still use all these ways of finding out?

Answer 1

First, you'll have to contact your ISP to get the header information from the e-mail. Specifically the From address, the IP address, and any and all routing information.

Then, run to the police with the information and let them run with it. In the meantime, use 3rd party IP backtracing programs to run through all the routing information and the IP address. I use Sam Spade, available here: http://static.samspade.org/ssw/spade114.exe

It's rather old, but still one of the best freeware IP tracing software programs available. Now, it won't tell you who sent the e-mail, but it will tell you what ISP to call about it. From there, you would ask them what network activity has had on . After this (provided the police haven't already figured it out), call the police up and tell them what you found out.

Now, the police (certainly the locals) probably won't do much of anything (which is why I mentioned all this about Sam Spade and backtracing), so after a few weeks (if you can wait that long), contact the FBI (if you live in the US, otherwise contact an equivalent organization) and give them all the information you have.

Answer 2

The authorities should be able to track the IP address of the sender. Thus, they'll be easily caught. To expidite the process, be sure to SAVE that email that was sent to you and the email address the sender used.

:tip

try googling the email adress ;)

Good luck! and I hope you stay safe!

Answer 3

yes, you can take it to the police.
and they can help you, and no its never to late to get help.
=]