"Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to the UK England for a program,I am presently in England,something extremely dreadful happened to me,I was mugged at gun point on my way to the Hotel by some Hoodlums and they made away with my Bag and other valuables. I called my bank for a wire transfer but it has proven almost Impossible to operate my account from here as they made me understand international transactions take 7 working days to be effective which i can't wait.
I feel so devastated,now my passport and other belongings are been retained by the hotel management pending the time I pay my Hotel bills.This is shameful,I need you to help me with a loan of (2,150 pounds= $3,250) to pay my hotel bills and get my self home.I will reimburse you soon as I get back Home.I will appreciate whatever you can assist me with.Can you help?"
That message was followed by the following (I have deleted the person's name for privacy reasons):
"I'm really happy to hear from you and thanks for your concern, at the moment am not my self and I cant even think straight but I will like you to loan me the money and will refund it back to you as soon as I get back.You can help me wire the money through western union money Transfer to my personal details and to the Hotel address bellow.I will be receiving it here with an ID and was also told that you can send it online on the western union website www.westernunion.com or go to any Walmart around you and get it sent from there. You can call on the Hotel receptionist number +447035930781
Name: Barbara XXXXXX
Address:12 London Road, Guildford
Surrey.England
United Kingdom
As soon you get it done,send me the Transfer details Including the (money Transfer Control Number).Get back to me as soon as you can.
All hopes on you."
Getting that kind of message is a wake up call. It was sent with what appeared to be her legitimate email address.
It turned out to be a scam by someone who somehow had used her email address. But before it was discovered to be a phony, her friends (many of whom are members of the League of Women Voters) were scrambling to raise money with some even thinking of hocking their jewelry etc to come up with money to help her out.
When she found out what was going on, the alleged victim sent out an email saying "I have NOT been mugged, and I am not in England."
This a NEW twist to the scam machine. If you get a strange message from someone you know claiming they have been mugged on a quick trip overseas and need money to get home, check it out before you panic and wire off funds. Try to contact the person through their cell phone and family first.
If that doesn't work, try contacting the FBI who should be informed of it even if it turns out to be a scam.
1 comment:
They got me too, only I was used as the ictim. My friends were asked to send money to gey me home.
Post a Comment