"Friend on vacation needs money" scam

[zz000ter]

I received a scam email - from a friend's legitimate email account
Be on the lookout - and be careful
Don;t get scammed

Message from scammer


I just arrived Cyprus and I am in a fix. Can I get a loan of $3000 or whatever amount if not all. You will have it as soon as I get back home. It is really urgent, get back to me as soon as you can. Please keep this between us.

Thanks a lot. You can send it to me through western union outlet so I can receive it in minutes over here. This is the address which should be filled on the western union form: My Name and 93, St Emmanuel Street, City of Nicosia, Cyprus(Cyprus Euro). Please don't forget to send me the details, the MTCN reference number on the payment receipt which will be given to you after making the payment I will need it to receive the money. Let me know the amount I will receive in Euros. I really appreciate this.

I chatted with my "friend", playing the concerned game.
I then sent a fake MTCN so the idiot will go to Western Union and come home empty handed

[iEyeCaptain]

if a brother needs money, ill send it!

[canadiankorean]

A friend of mine had this happen.

A fake email was sent on behalf of a friend.

Thankfully people contacted her before sending money.

[Piro21]

This is why you should always write to your friends in code. A good fraud-proof letter should be like "My dear chap, would you please send me a princely sum of X Euros so I may fly an emergency autogyro to my humble abode. You have my word as a gentleman and a scholar that you shall be rewarded fortwith. Cheerio!"

[whampoa]

LOL, Western Union, nuff said.

[Powder + park raider]

anyone dumb enough to fall for this deserve to get scammed. lol

[Ottomaddox]

If we started posting every scam on the internet in off-topic, there wouldn't be enough room for the threads about tipping, how unions are bankrupting the country, and Rob Ford's latest kerfuffles.

[packardbell]

i need money, any RFD members want to send me money?
I prefer western union to china.:lol:

[zz000ter]

Packardbell - here you go

Money transfer control number: 14840884488

[packardbell]

Packardbell - here you go

Money transfer control number: 14840884488

hey western union says you sent 2K more and they want to send you a check for 5K to deposit in your account but they want you to wire them 1K and you keep 1K for your troubles.

[iridium001]

This is why you should always write to your friends in code. A good fraud-proof letter should be like "My dear chap, would you please send me a princely sum of X Euros so I may fly an emergency autogyro to my humble abode. You have my word as a gentleman and a scholar that you shall be rewarded fortwith. Cheerio!"

.... .

:lol:

thanks for the laugh!!

[GangStarr]

LOL, Western Union, nuff said.

You do realize western union is among the only ways to help out a loved one / friend stuck abroad with no ID or money.

If you were robbed, had no ID and little or no money in your pocket. Just how do you suppose someone back home will help you?

Western union has a worldwide network of agents who can do near instant money transfers for those stuck.

If you think the embasy / consulate are going to lend you money to get home, your out of your mind.

Of course the flexibility, worldwide nature and lack of Id requirements make it a good tool for scams with no recourse for the person sending money.

This service was paticularly useful before the bank cards / travellers cheques were around.

This scams a good one, and op would probably fall for it if the person had asked for a smaller more reasonable amount. Clearly the scammer has the persons email password (key loggers!)

Gmail one time use passwords or 2 step authentication (if you have your phone) are a great way of thwarting these scams

[packardbell]

Packardbell - here you go

Money transfer control number: 14840884488

got the money bro. thanks:)