Accident in Malaysia scam - British Embassy warning

It's such a common scam the British Embassy have gone as far as to issue a specific warning on their website.

British nationals who are in trouble abroad will contact their Embassy or the Embassy will be notified if they are involved in an accident.

http://ukinmalaysia.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/internet-scam/

There are a number of scam artists working from bases in Malaysia who are targeting people through internet chat rooms and on-line dating agencies. Once trust has been established, sometimes over a period of months or years, the victim of the scam is informed that their on-line friend, who they believe is British, is in trouble in Malaysia and in immediate need of funds.

The reasons that the scam artists give for needing cash vary, but include being detained at Kuala Lumpur’s International Airport for currency violations, money laundering, being held against their will, being involved in a road accident (frequently in or around the airport), or hospitalisation . They sometimes claim to be travelling with a young child or elderly parent.

Many victims are persuaded to part with large amounts of money before they start to suspect anything. If you are asked to transfer funds to Malaysia to help with a crisis you should ask the caller whether they have reported the incident (by phone or e-mail) to the Consular section of the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur...............