Audio Lesson Trapped Abroad Email Scam to Watch Out For

I’ve recorded a new audio lesson to help warn you about a pretty common email scam which is going around these days. It’s not brand new, but not everybody knows about it so I wanted to post this new computer lesson to help you protect yourself.

I received an email which appeared to be from a newsletter subscriber named John, but I spotted it as a scam as I’ve seen this type of thing before. It was clearly sent from an email address which had been broken into, and the criminal who did so used the address to try to fool me and everyone else they sent it to into thinking they were the actual owner of the email account.

I’ll post the audio lesson below and then quote the email below that so you can take a look to help you recognize and avoid similar scams in the future:

Here’s the email I received (full name and details removed for privacy) :

“Hello

How you doing? I made a trip to London (United Kingdom) unannounced some days back, Unfortunately I got mugged at gun point last night! All cash, Credit card and phone were stolen, I got messed up in another country, stranded in London, fortunately passport was back in my hotel room.

It was a bitter experience and i was hurt on my right hand, but would be fine. I am sending you this message cos i don’t want anyone to panic, I want you to keep it that way for now!

My return flight leaves in a few hours but I’m having troubles sorting out the hotel bills, wondering if you could loan me some money to sort out the hotel bills and also take a cab to the airport about (1500$). I have been to the police and embassy here, but they aren’t helping issues, I have limited means of getting out of here, I canceled my cards already and made a police report, I won’t get a new card number till I get back home! So I really need your help.

You could wire whatever you can spare to my name and hotel address via Western union:

Name:John [full name and address removed for privacy]

Hope to read from you soon…….

Thanks and regards
John”

If you get an email like this, CALL the person on the phone, or call their spouse, etc. to verify the story! Don’t reply to the email as this message normally comes from email addresses that have been broken into (hacked) and so the scammer is more likely to get your reply than the person who owns the address.

People have fallen for this scam and lost money and I don’t want to see this happen to you. I hope it helps you spot and avoid scams in the future.

For more in-depth step-by-step video and audio lessons on easily using email while learning more about online safety and avoiding spam and scams, take a look at my easy computer training cds for Windows or Apple Mac:

Windows PC – How to Do Email the Easy Way

Apple Mac – How to Do Email the Easy Way

Posted by Worth Godwin Computer Training on May 25, 2010 in Apple Mac Basics Training, Audio Computer Training, Computer Help, Computer Questions Answers, Email Scams & Hoaxes, Online Privacy & Security | 2 comments

2 Comments

Leave Your Comment:

Testimonials:

"I’m beginning to enjoy my computer more and more because of the lessons and experience I’ve had with Worth teaching me about my computer."

-- Judi Nakamaru

"I’ve just never been a person with any mechanical skills. In fact, in the company that I ran, they wouldn’t even let me in the computer room.

And I have made such wonderful progress in dealing with Worth Godwin, that I just want to pass that along. "

-- Oliver Hutaf

"My name is Gina Eveland, and I'm retired from teaching.

It's easier for me to understand a lesson that Worth gives because he uses analogies I can relate to.

With each lesson, I felt better about what I was doing on the computer.

So I feel much more comfortable about the computer."

-- Gina Eveland

"Worth uses plain English so you can understand what he's teaching you, and he uses everyday examples.

Worth's computer lessons are for people just like me.

People who are afraid to push buttons, afraid they'll get in trouble with the computer. "

-- Linda Costa