by Jack Smith
Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:43 am
Almost everybody I know has received an email like this at one time or another.
This is followed by a name familiar to the reader and an email address either the same as or slightly different from the one we know for the person. This too is a scam; somehow the scammer has gotten hold of somebody's contact list (possibly by getting the person's email password) and is emailing eveybody asking for money. Notice that the "friend" wants money sent by Western Union, and also that the phone number starts out +4470..... Phone numbers starting +4470 are redirect numbers, a free service offered by British telecoms. When you call that number, your call is redirected (forwarded) to another number, which could be anywhere in the world. In the email above, the scammer has set up a redirect number and is sitting at home waiting for victims to call. He will pretend to be the hotel and say how urgent it is for the victim to send money immediately.
Best thing to do is ignore the scammer but advise your friend whose name is being used.
And everybody should be careful to use a long strong password and not let strangers see it! If you discover someone sending out this scam in your name, then try to change your email password, and try to recover your password if it has mysteriously changed. Then maybe contact your friends and tell them you are fine and don't need any money, even though scammers are using your name.
My regrets for this sudden request, I have been involved in a robbery during my trip to Glasgow, Scotland. I was mugged and all my belongings cash, cellphone and credit cards were all stolen at "gun point". Its a terrible experience for me. I need your help flying back home as I am trying to raise some money.
I have made contact with my bank but the best they can do is to mail me a new card which will take 3 to 4 days to arrive here. I went to the embassy this morning and they have just issued me a temporary passport but I have to pay for a ticket and settle hotel bills.
Western Union Transfer is the fastest option to wire funds to me. Let me know if you need my details(Full names/location) to effect a transfer. You can reach me via email or the hotel's desk phone +447024032573.
Regards,
This is followed by a name familiar to the reader and an email address either the same as or slightly different from the one we know for the person. This too is a scam; somehow the scammer has gotten hold of somebody's contact list (possibly by getting the person's email password) and is emailing eveybody asking for money. Notice that the "friend" wants money sent by Western Union, and also that the phone number starts out +4470..... Phone numbers starting +4470 are redirect numbers, a free service offered by British telecoms. When you call that number, your call is redirected (forwarded) to another number, which could be anywhere in the world. In the email above, the scammer has set up a redirect number and is sitting at home waiting for victims to call. He will pretend to be the hotel and say how urgent it is for the victim to send money immediately.
Best thing to do is ignore the scammer but advise your friend whose name is being used.
And everybody should be careful to use a long strong password and not let strangers see it! If you discover someone sending out this scam in your name, then try to change your email password, and try to recover your password if it has mysteriously changed. Then maybe contact your friends and tell them you are fine and don't need any money, even though scammers are using your name.
