Plea for Help From a Friend Abroad Who Lost A Wallet- Fiction! & Scam!

Plea for Help From a Friend Abroad Who Lost A Wallet- Fiction! & Scam!

Summary of the eRumor:
This is an urgent request for funds from a friend or a loved one that says they have lost their wallet and valuables while travelling in a foreign country.

The Truth:
This is a scam by thieves who have hijacked email accounts and no attempt to respond to this email should be made.

If you get such an email from someone that you know you should call them by telephone and alert them that their email account and password may have been compromised. They should contact their Internet provider or email customer service representative to inquire as how to best remedy this security breech.

This serves as a reminder that we should always have virus protection software current and never reply to emails that may be cleverly disguised to appear as though they came from agencies, institutions and companies that we know. They are in reality phishing attempts to get our personal and confidential information. Phishing is the criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information.

Updated 2/7/2011

A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:

Hope you get this on time, sorry I didn't inform you about my trip in Spain for a program, I'm presently in Madrid and am having some difficulties here because i misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were kept. I want you to assist me with a loan of (2,600 Euro = $3300) to sort-out my hotel bills and to get myself back home.

I have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with, I'll Refund the money back to you as soon as i return, let me know if you can be of any help. I don't have a phone where i can be reached. Please let me know immediately.

Thanks