Contact your friend directly (and verify his identity) before your send any money!
I got a very similar email last summer from a friend -- turns out someone had busted in to her yahoo account and locked her out. Then, using her address book, proceeded to tell amazing stories of being stuck (penniless) in an Ontario hotel. (Goodness of their heart, etc, etc.) Please send $$$ to this Western Union account....
Fortunately, I had her phone number. (She didn't even know the fraud was happening -- it was just a very quiet day on email....)
So, my advice: have mercy -- but verify.... Barry On 6/8/2010 8:44 AM, BOB KISS wrote:
*DEAR HUGGERS,** This may be a hoax. Someone needs to contact Patrick directly and confirm one way or the other. If it IS real, he needs help. If it is NOT real, we need to notify everyone so we don't get fleeced. **Please note the following:**1) **Even though it showed up on the HUG list, Patrick's e-mail is addressed to "undisclosed recipients". **2) **I also received a copy of his exact same e-mail in my spam box.**3) **I received a very similar e-mail from a former student about 9 months ago. It was some hoax/virus that uses the contact info of the victim to send e-mails to everyone. **4) **I checked my "in box" and the only other e-mail I have from St. Cin is an invitation to join "Linked-in". I don't see any other postings from him on the HUG (or any other) list though I do often cull older e-mails. ** * *Can anyone contact him directly to see wazup?* * CHEERS!* * BOB* * * ------------------------------------------------------------------------*From:* hasselblad-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:hasselblad-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Vick Ko*Sent:* Tuesday, June 08, 2010 7:51 AM *To:* hasselblad@xxxxxxxxxxxxx *Subject:* [HUG ] Re: Have mercy on me Wow, traveller's worst nightmare. Best of luck and prayers that it all works out. Perhaps call the airplane company and explain your predicament. Vick On 6/8/2010 7:44 AM, Patrick St.Cin wrote:I'm writing this with tears in my eyes,my family and I came down here to United Kingdom for a short vacation unfortunately we were mugged at the park of the hotel where we stayed,all cash,credit card and cell 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 but they're not helping issues at all and our flight leaves in less than 3hrs 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.I'm freaked out at the moment... Patrick St.Cin www.imagesbypatrick.com <http://www.imagesbypatrick.com>__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5181 (20100608) __________The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com__________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 5181 (20100608) __________The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com
