Here's how the scam worked when I was victim. The hacker broke ito my computer and contacts list. he then opend an email account using my address but with one subtle difference. The bogus address would have an 'l' instead of an 'i' so that few people receiving a mail would not notice the difference. Anybody pushing the reply key and send, would be sending a message to the bogus email account and would then receive a reply asking for $1850 to be wired to me in manilla via the Western Union.
Sad News - stranded abroad scam
You may receive an email from a friend about being stranded abroad and asking you for money to help
Here is one variation of what the email can look like...
Subject: Sad News
How are you doing? This has had to come in a hurry and it has left me in a devastating state.
My family and I had a visit to (Spain) unannounced some days back for a short vacation, unfortunately we were mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed,all cash, cell phones and credit cards were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.
We've been to the Embassy and the Police here they're not helping issues at all and our flight leaves tomorrow but we're having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won't let us leave until we settle the bills. Please I really need your financial assistance..Please, Let me know if you can help us out?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
(Name of Person you may know)
How should I respond to this email?
Action: Do nothing - just delete the email
If you know the person you might like to let them know (not via email). If they cannot login to their email account they will need to report that their account has been compromised. If they can login they should change their email password.
