This morning I received the email below from one of my client's yahoo email address. At first glance I thought it was genuine. The email indicated that my client had been mugged, did not have any money or credit cards and was stuck in London. Obviously I felt that my clients may be in dire need of assistance.
I responded to the initial email asking that they call me or give me a t
elephone number to call. The response I received requested 2,700USD wired to:
Name - Richard Dix
Location - 4 Marble Arch, London, W1H 7 EJ United Kingdom
Telephone 447024098886
There was several clues that I immediately recognized. First and foremost, my clients always signed their emails in a special manner (We're spending our children's inheritance). These clients always sign their pet names to their emails (Knucklehead and Whiner). The writing style is normally not practiced in the US. The grammar and punctuation is questionable.
Since these clients live within five miles from my home I stopped by to verify that they were alright. Evidently it started around 11am this morning when they started receiving telephone calls from people whose email addresses were in their yahoo contact folder. Someone hacked into my client's yahoo account, retrieving their password then sending the distressed email to everyone in the yahoo contact folder. The scoundrel had the audacity to respond to emails as well.
If you receive an email similar to this, don't even respond. Most importantly, don't send a cent! This is a scam!
----- Original Message -----
From:"Thefolks"
Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 10:52
Subject: Sad News...!!!
I'm writing this with tears in My eyes My Family and I came down here to (London,England ) 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.
Am freaked out at the moment.
Thanks
Folks
Leolinda Bowers TM
Associate Broker
Ken Meade Realty
Cell (602) 403-6865
Business (623) 937-5701
http://leolinda.com/
If you are thinking of buying or selling a home in any Phoenix Arizona retirement community, consider hiring me as your Realtor®. I am the 2011, 2010 and 2009 Top Producing Agent in Ken Meade Realty. In 2011, I successful closed 71 transactions. As a year-round Sun City Grand resident and full-time Associate Broker Realtor®, I am familiar with Phoeniz AZ retirement communities Sun City Grand, Sun City West, Corte Bella, Arizona Traditions, Sun Village, Pebble Creek and Trilogy at Vistancia.
