As our cooperation partner Watchlist Internet reports, there is an increasing number of alleged messages from acquaintances on vacation who urgently need money.

Internet users receive messages from their contacts that they are abroad and need help because they have “lost their bag, passport and credit card”. For this reason, recipients should transfer money abroad using Western Union. It is needed for a “ticket and hotel bills”. In reality, the message comes from criminals. The money is lost during a foreign transfer.

Internet users receive a private Facebook message, an email or the like from friends. It says that they are abroad and urgently need financial help. It reads like this:

Hello,

I hope you received this quickly, I traveled to Ukraine and lost my bag including my passport and credit card. The embassy is ready to let me fly without my passport. I just have to pay for my ticket and the hotel bills. Unfortunately I don't have any money with me, my credit card could help but it's also in my pocket. I have already contacted my bank, but they need more time to send me a new one. I wanted to ask you if you could lend me 1,200 EUR as soon as possible. I'll give it back to you as soon as I get there. Money through Western Union is the best option. I really need to get the next flight.

I am waiting for your answer.

Kind regards,
first name last name

Is the writing real?

No, the letter is not real. It comes from criminals who, for example with a phishing email . They use this so that they can write a fake message to their victims' contacts and ask for a money transfer abroad.

What's next?

Internet users who believe that acquaintances will contact them and respond to the message in writing will receive a message telling them that they should transfer the requested 1,200 euros abroad using Western Union:

Please find the nearest Western Union or post office or train station and help me send the money using the following information.

Recipient:
Address:

I promise to give you this money back as soon as
I get back.
I await your answer, thank you

So that the criminals can collect the 1,200 euros from the nearest Western Union branch, the Internet users should provide them with the 10-digit MTCN number required. If you make a transfer, the money is lost.

How do you recognize a fake request for help?

Basically, you can recognize the fake letter because it is incorrect and poorly written. In addition, as the recipient of the message, you will not be addressed directly, but will simply be greeted with a hello. Lastly, expect the victim to contact you by phone so they can ask for help directly and in person.

How do you react to the news?

We recommend that you contact the alleged sender by telephone and inform them that data thieves have taken over their email, Facebook account, etc. The victims of data theft should get it back with the help of their provider and thus stop the attempted fraud.

The Internet Watchlist recommends:

Protect your user accounts with a strong password and two-way authentication so that strangers can't take it over and use it to commit crimes under your name!

 


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Notes:
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