Summary. You may receive an email that is a desperate plea for help from a friend, colleague, family member, or acquaintance.
Before replying, you may want to compare it with the samples below that we’ve received.
Many similar emails are sent out from hijacked user accounts of people with email service through AOL, MSN, Hotmail, or Yahoo. You should verify the details of any similar email received.
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SAMPLE #1
Hi,
I’m writing this with tears in my eyes,my family and I came down here to (Spain,Madrid) for a short vacation. unfortunately,we were mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed,all cash and credit card were stolen off us but luckily for us we still have our passports with us.My credit card can’t be charged by the hotel as I already reported it as a stolen card,and the card company had canceled it, so I can only get a new one when we make it back home safely.
We’ve been to the Embassy and the Police here but they’re not helping issues at all and our flight leaves in few hours from now but we’re having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won’t let us leave until we settle the bills. Well I really need your financially assistance..Please, let me know if you can help us out? Am freaked out at the moment!!
kindly email me or write back so I can tell you where to send the funds to…
Warm Regards,
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SAMPLE #2
Hi, Sorry to bother you with this, but I had to make a sudden trip out of the country to England for a program. I am in a terrible situation which i misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things like my credit were kept in . I already contacted my credit card company to stop my cards immediately,But where my problem lies is that it will take another 5 days to get a replacement. I need a loan of $2,500. I’ll explain better and refund the money immediately i get back. I will really appreciate whatever amount you can come up with, if not all. get back to me asap. Please keep this between us.
With best wishes,