Daily Bitekletas

Last Updated: 2007-04-12 12:16am

I got a message from a old friend last Monday in my Yahoo Mail account but was able to finally check my inbox this morning. As far as I know, she (my friend) came home to Manila from abroad just recently. The e-mail really looks authentic except for the word “Nigeria” — the natural “watchout-for-scammer” bells in me rang.

The e-mail headers contains all the correct information like Return-Path, From, Originating Ip, etc. It was actually sent directly via the Yahoo Mail page. My friend’s e-mail account might have been stolen by scammers and is now being used to e-mail all of my friend’s contacts including me. Here goes the entire message written as is.

Subject: Emergency!!!!

Hello how are you.. This is an urgent help i need from you…i recently made a trip to Visit a natural resort in Nigeria, when i got to the place, I lost my Wallet and my ATM card and other Valuable document in the taxi i boarded to take me to the nearest hotel .. I pleaded with the hotel manager to allow me spend just a night, Then i would contact a close friend or family to help me out … i Manage to recall your email address then i went to use the computer in the hotel to send you this email, I want you to kindly send down to me the Sum of $2500 or what ever you can come up with at this time, immediately to settle the hotel bill i spent a day in, and to get a return ticket Back home , As soon as i come i would have time to tell you more and Also repay you back at once, Right now i am being pressured,What ever you Have Right now you can wire it down to me please… Please kindly get back to me to give you the airport manager information to wire down the Money Through Western Union which is available here in the airport for me to come home at once, .waiting in anticipation to hear from you immediately ..Please you don’t have to waste anytime In sending it to me . its not necessary you send the $2500 at once, What ever sum you can afford right now Send it to help me get back home , please hurry with it, I really need the help So Much…

May this serves as a warning to others. Watch out for this type of e-mails pouring in your inbox anytime soon. Scammers are finding ways to steal money from us.

To report scam:

• Nigeria - The 419 Coalition Website
• Scam Info
• Internet Crime Complaint Center
• Philippines
  • For Cyber Crime / Computer Related Crimes
    Dial (632) 726-1575 Criminal Investigation & Detection Group /
    Email: cidg@pnp.gov.ph
  • National Bureau of Investigation Online Complaint Sheet
  • PinoyMoneyTalk - Where to report scammers in the Philippines

Update: I answered the scammer’s initial e-mail and got the following responses.

Me:  Are you sure it is really “YOU” who is sending this?

Scammer:  Its me xxx (my friend’s name) pls i really need your help.Can you help me?

Me: kung kilala mo ako.. ( Tagalog for: if you know me )  mention events etc..

Scammer: Pls type in English in Nigeria they do not have the facility to write or receive our language.Thats why am speaking English. i do not see what you are writng.How much can you come up with today?

That’s it! I’m stopping my stupidity in exchanging e-mails with this scammer. My friend’s account got stolen for some reason. I’m reporting future messages from her as spam.