A Scammer Story

This morning a scammer broke into my friend Alex’s account and sent me an email asking for money. The scammer then switched to a different account to continue the conversation. This account was exactly the same as my friend’s email with one crucial difference; ymail instead of gmail. I recognised the scam immediately and decided to have some fun. Here’s the transcript. 

From: “Alexandra K*****”<a****@gmail.com>

Date: 15 December 2010 08:19:30 GMT

Subject: Hi

Reply-To: <a****@ymail.com>

Hi, sorry to bother you at this time but I made a quick trip early this week to London, UK and had my bag stolen from me with my passport and credit cards in it. The embassy is willing to help by letting me fly without my passport, I just have to pay for a ticket and settle Hotel bills. Unfortunately for me, I can’t have access to funds without my credit card, I’ve made contact with my bank but they need more time to come up with a new one. I was thinking of asking you to lend me some quick funds that I can give back as soon as I get in. I really need to be on the next available flight. I can forward you details on how you can get the funds to me.

You can reach me via email or May field hotel’s desk phone, the numbers are, 011447024065511 or 011447024064567 or on my blackberry at a*****@ymail.com

Alex.

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 9:56:08 AM

Subject: Re: Hi

What??????

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 10:33:25 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Thanks for your response i need $2000 to pay hotel bills and cover my expenses, let me know what you can come up with, I will pay back as soon as i return. I made some inquires and was told western union would be the best option for me let me know if you can do western union.

Thanks.

From: James Veitch <james.veitch@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 4:54:23 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

Alex, 

but how on earth did this happen? I had no idea you were even in London? And two GRAND on hotel bills? How on earth did you manage that? You could have stayed at mine for free! I’m working on getting you the cash. 

James

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 15:59:18 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Thanks alot James i promise to pay back as soon as i get back here are the details you will need in sending the funds via western union

Alexandra K****,

11 Charing Cross Road,

London,

WC2H 0QU

UK

Keep me posted.

Thanks,

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 5:00:59 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

To be honest, I’m a bit annoyed you’ve spent the past week in the lap of luxury and haven’t contacted me at all. I thought we were close; what happened? also, what’s your room like? I’ll talk to the bank tomorrow. 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 16:05:53 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Dont be please you know my head was filled and i was a bit confused but now you promised to help my mind is at rest cant you be able to get the funds by today please i really need to get on the next avaiable flight let me know.

Thanks

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 5:08:59 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

I know, I know how you feel. If I’m paying the bill though do you think you could at least steal me some towels? I think you owe me that at the very least. Where are you right now? 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 16:11:06 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Okay please keep me posted as soon as you sent the funds i have to rush down to the embassy i have a meeting with them i will email you once i get back

Thanks alot James i owe you

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 17:48:18 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

James try and get back to me with update let me know if you have sent the funds thanks

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 6:53:02 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

Alex, before I do this, and I want to, but before I do this just tell me one thing; how was I, as a lover? I’ve been wanting to know this for ages but haven’t ever had the courage to ask. 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 18:12:17 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

James dont start am in a mess right now and my head aches please just get back me out of this mess and we will discuss this when i get home okay,

Thanks and waiting to hear from you soon

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 7:16:05 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

If that’s the way you’re going to behave then maybe you can just dig yourself out of this mess. Remember Tuscany? Those huge waves? The way you wheeled me all over town. All I want to know is whether you still love me. Tell me you still love me? 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 18:24:30 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Okay James i still remember the old times we spent together and i wish we could do it once more if we had the chance to okay i will never forget the good times we both spent together please just get me out of this mess

Thanks keep me posted

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 7:31:21 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

But do you love me???

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 18:43:40 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

yes i do love you James and i will meet you at the airport once all this is clear okay so just get to a WU and wire the funds so we can meet and spend time together alright

Keep me posted 

Love you

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Date: 15 December 2010 21:07:49 GMT

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Subject: Re: Hi

Hi Alex, 

Sorry. I’ve been busy all day today; I did manage to call my bank to make sure I had enough money to cover the hotel bills. The guy I spoke to said that Western Union isn’t safe. Don’t you think it’s better that we meet in person? On the way home I decided to ask you to write me a poem. Nothing large; just a simple one, just for me. Something about Tuscany. I remember writing you one all those many years ago and you never replied to me. It would mean a lot to me.

Yours, 

James. 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 21:12:04 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

James Western union is 100% safe okay all else you dont want to wire the funds to me cause i made inquires and was told Western union is the best way to receive funds fast and easier okay so if are still willing to help me out of this just let know

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 10:15:55 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

And the poem ? 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 21:30:57 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

I will write you the poem that is no problem but for now i need to get things straight out first okay so just wire the funds so i can get everything done and we can meet okay do you still need the information’s or you still have them with you

Thanks

From: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

To: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Sent: Wed, December 15, 2010 10:31:28 PM

Subject: Re: Hi

I’m not doing anything until I get a poem! 

From: Alexandra K*****”<a****@ymail.com

Date: 15 December 2010 21:32:44 GMT

To: James Veitch <james********@gmail.com>

Subject: Re: Hi

Fine no problem i can see you are not helping matters thanks for your time