Comments on: Scam Email: “An Emergency Please”

By: Ed Coyne

Ed Coyne — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:06:03 +0000

I would call the FBI and see what they say.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:01:53 +0000

I got hit by this one today. Two different email requests for money were sent to everyone in my Yahoo contact list and also to some of my Facebook friends. My biggest concern is that one friend replied to the spammer and he replied asking that the money be sent by Wester Union in my name in Cardiff, Wales. Does this mean this character has id in my name??? Western Union suggested that I call the FBI. Has anyone followed this route?

By: Ed Coyne

Ed Coyne — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:34:55 +0000

Walter,
I don’t think opening the mail would have done anything. The links contained within are the problem. You can never be too careful, though.

By: walter

walter — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 15:32:12 +0000

I just got nearly the same mail from someone i knew in armenia but now stays in the UK (according the mail)
I hope i didn’t do something wrong by opening this mail.

By: Hong

Hong — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 03:01:04 +0000

June 2, 2010

Re: Emergency: Hijacked email account asking for money from contact list

I am reporting a serious web crime to Yahoo customer service. Action is needed promptly to avoid continued happening of such terrible crime. This is the email that I received email below. Thanks for your attention.

************
“Am in a great sorrow writing you this note,I hope you receive this message on time ? 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 robbed at gun point on my way to the Hotel by by hooligans 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 1200 pounds (equivelent to $1840) 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. Let me know if you can be of help.

All hopes on you.”
XXXX

By: Gene

Gene — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:28:30 +0000

Got one of these from the account of an elderly distant relative…the tell for me was broken English from a man who lived his whole life in the States, held a degree from Yale, and claimed to have traveled to england when I know he and his wife haven’t traveled further than florida years…

By: Katee

Katee — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 05:57:14 +0000

I had several people contact me today about my yahoo account claiming that an e-mail at similar to the one you have provided… about me being stranded in England, with out a phone, borrowed a computer to e-mail fiends for assistance…
the address that they gave was: 169 Connaught Rd, Fleet, GU 51 3LP, United Kingdon