My wife recently received an email from her friend. With a little critical thinking, just by googling the Malaysian snailmail address provided in the email, it became very clear this was a scam. Someone has hacked into her MSNLive Hotmail.com account, where she has unwisely kept all of her contact information, and sent out a mass email to everyone in her online address book. This is a scam! Don't fall for it!
The first thing to do is contact your friend through another means. My wife called her, and her friend is safe and sound in Washington DC, where she lives. She no longer can get into her hotmail.com account and is trying to contact the appropriate department at WindowsLivehelp.com. Sending an email to abuse@hotmail.com is a good place to start if this ever happens to you.
Some other clues that that tipped me off to the true phishing nature of this email. What hotel was the name of the hotel she was staying at? This basic info wasn't included. How about a phone number to the hotel? Nope, not that either. Hey, wire me some money via Western Union! Here's the address. Oh gosh.... don't fall for this scam!
My compassionate friends.... there are clever folks out there wanting to trick you. With a little discernment, we can keep ourselves safe.
Blessings and love,
Hamid : )
Here is the email to watch out for...
~~~
Am in a great sorrow writing you this message, Just wanted to inform you about something very urgent, i could barely think straight at this point, i hope you come to my aid because something very terrible is happening to me now and i need a favor from you urgently. I had a trip here in Malaysia and i got myself stranded. Unfortunately for me all my money got stolen on my way to the hotel where i lodged along with my bag were my passport, cell phone which i have all my contacts, And since then i have been without any money, i am even owing the hotel here. So i have access to emails for now, please i need you to lend me $2,500 so i can make arrangements and return back. I am full of panic now, the police only asked me to write a statement about the incident and directed me to the embassy, i have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will return the money back to you as soon as i get home, I am so confused right now. I wasn't injured because I complied immediately. So please use the details below to send the money to me through Western Union money transfer because that is the only way i could be able to get it fast and leave. These are the details below...
Name: (your friend's name)
Address: 25B Taman Paya Mengkung, Bandar Melaka, Malaysia
After you have send the money, email to me the western union money transfer control number or you can attach and forward to me the western union money transfer receipt so that i can pick up the money fast and leave.
Thanks and get back to me soon.
(signed your friend)~
Hamid LMT - Massage therapist in Portland, Oregon
