A new email scam has emerged. People
hack into accounts and then email all the contacts with requests for emergency
money. Naturally a friend will want to help a friend, and thus the way the scam
works. The following is a sample of an actual email in that scam:
Quoting (Name Withheld)
<_____________@hotmail.com>: Hi, I really don't mean to inconvenience
you right now, I made a little trip to UK and I misplaced my passport and
credit cards, please I know this may sound odd, but it all happened very fast.
I need to get a new passport, and get on the next available flight home. I've
been to the US embassy, they're willing to help, but I'm out of cash and I have
minimum access from here. Can you loan me some money and I'll be willing to
repay you as soon as I get home. Please reply as soon as you get this message,
so I can forward the details as to where to send the funds, you can try
reaching me on this number for now, +447024035615, I also have an ID to pick
the funds up if sent via western union through walmart. (Name Withheld)
In this case, the email was sent to Fred
Taub, the President of Boycott Watch who saw something wrong and as a test,
replied asking a personal question that only the real email account owner would
know the answer to, and in response received the following: follows:
Please set the question on the Q and A
section when sending the funds, if I don't answer the question, then I can't
get the funds. I'm sending this from a mobile, so I can put in as much as I
want to. If the funds is coming to my name, I can only pick it up with my
Identity. Awaiting your response. (Name Withheld)
The response and grammar were all
wrong; clearly indicating it was a fraudulent email. Had the email been
legitimate, so would be the response. Checking the phone number at
whocallsme.com indicates the number was suspicious. We have added a complaint
about that number at the http://whocallsme.com website and will be forwarding
the information to the FBI. There is a lesson to be learned here. Do not take
requests for your money lightly. Ask questions, even from people who appear to
be friends, and verify the request. Even then, make sure you know exactly who
you are sending your money to. People can take email lists from the CC line and
create similar email addresses too, then request money from a seemingly right
email address, because that too can be copied. It's your money. If someone
wants some of it, ask questions. Your friends will appreciate you being careful
and if not, they are not your friends.
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