Watch out for this Email Impersonation Scam
Watch out for this scam. I just got an email seemingly from a professional acquaintance of mine saying that she had been mugged in London and needed money. It was signed with her usual signature so it looked reasonably legit. The email originated from (example) First_Last@yahoo.com. However, her email is actually First_Last@att.com! Note the changed domain! Someone was trying to impersonate her with a new, real email address!
It was the tone of her letter that told me something was fishy. If something seems fishy, it usually is! But man, those scammers are getting better.
Here is the message I got (I changed the name and email)
From: First Last First_Last@yahoo.com
I’m writing this with tears in my eyes, I came down to London, United Kingdom for a short vacation. Unfortunately,I was mugged at the park of the hotel where i stayed,all cash and credit card were stolen off me but luckily for me i still have my passport with me.
I’ve been to the the Police here but they’re not helping issues at all and my return flight leaves in few hours from now but I’m having problems settling the hotel bills and the hotel manager won’t let me leave until I settle the bills. Well I really need your financial assistance..
Please let me know if you can help me out?
I’m freaked out at the moment!!
First Last, Her Title
Her Organization
First_Last@yahoo.com[Her usual email signature]