BEWARE OF SCAM E-MAIL: Susan Kramer is not in England, didn’t get robbed at gunpoint, and does not need money help
by Dawn Ballou, Pinedale Online!
December 14, 2009
Local residents beware. An e-mail went out to many local residents on Monday morning (Dec. 14, 2009) appearing to be from the e-mail account of Julie Land of Happy Endings Animal Rescue, as an urgent request for money from Pinedale resident Susan Kramer. The e-mail stated Susan was in the United Kingdom and had been robbed at gunpoint yesterday. Supposedly the muggers got her wallet, cash, credit cards and cell phone. The purpose of the e-mail was she was requesting help from her friends because she desperately needed money. The e-mail asks for a loan of 2,500 pounds (about U.S. $4,000). The e-mail requests money to be sent care of Susan via Western Union or Money Gram to an address in England and promises to refund the money immediately upon her return home.
We spoke with Susan Kramer today on the phone. She is still in Pinedale and is not in the United Kingdom. She did not write this message. She wasn’t robbed by gunpoint. She doesn’t need money. This "urgent request" for money is not true. "I don’t even know anybody in England," she said. "I’m alive and well here in Pinedale." She found out about the scam e-mail using her name as the supposed victim when concerned people began calling her home this morning.
This e-mail is a scam. Do not send money to the address given in the e-mail.
Below is the text of the scam e-mail using:
_______________________________________
From and to: Julie Land happyendingsar23@yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2009 4:19 AM
I NEED YOUR URGENT HHELP!!!
How are you doing? I hope you get this on time. Am sorry i did not inform you about my travelling to United kingdom for a program.I can barely think or type straight at this
moment.Something really terrible is happening to me right now and I will be needing Your Urgent favour,I hope you come to my aid.Yesterday,I had a trip here in Kent dover (UK) for a Seminar. Unfortunately for me I got Mugged at gun Point on my way to the hotel where i lodged.They went away With all i have got on me including my wallet where i have all my cash and credit card and also my cell phone.I wasn't injured because I quickly complied.since then i have been without any money, I am even owing the hotel bills here.Presently my traveling documents are been held down by the hotel management pending the time i am able to Clear bills.I contacted the police here and they only asked me towrite a statement about the incident and later reffered me to the embassy.I have spoken to the embassy here but they are not responding to the matter effectively.I am confused and so full of panic right now.I do not feel safe here any more. For now,i do not have a phone where i can be reached.All i have got here is my mail.I also have limited access to the computer.I will tell you more about my terrible experience here when i get
back home. I urgently require your financial assistance now.Please I need you to loan me about (2,500 Pounds) to sort-out my hotel bills and other expenses incurred so as to get myself back home soon.I Promise to refund your money i mmediately i return home. I will appreciate any amount you can quickly arrange and send to me via Western Union or Money Gram with the details below.
Receivers Names: Susan Kramer
Receivers Address/location: 19 New Dover Road,Canterbury
Dover kent,CT1 3AH,United Kingdom
Please remember to send me full details of the transfer or scanned copy of the transfer receipt so that i can receive over here without any Further delay or problem.let me know if you can be of any help Because you are the only person i can reach at this moment. I await your Kind response soon.
Best Regards
Susan
___________________________________
In reality, these scammers could be from anywhere in the world, not necessarily the United Kingdom. This follows the pattern of the infamous "Nigerian" e-mail scams, of which there are many variations. A quick online search will reveal these scams have been going on for years, yet seem to continue to snag a few unwary victims with each new incarnation of the trick.
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