An Oamaru man yesterday was trying to rectify a scam email sent out to people in his address book appealing for them to send money to him in Spain.
Russell Plew is the target of an email scam that says he is in Spain, has misplaced his bag with his valuables and urgently needs $US1550 ($NZ2064) to pay his hotel bills and get back to Oamaru.
"I'm in Oamaru," was his first comment when contacted by the Otago Daily Times at home yesterday.
Otago Daily Times Oamaru reporter David Bruce, one of those in Mr Plew's email address book with Xtra, received the email at 9.12am yesterday. The way the email is written appears to indicate it was put together by someone not fluent in English.
Mr Plew said he started receiving calls from people shortly after 9am when the first emails, which appeared to have been sent out in batches, arrived.
"Someone saw it and phoned immediately. I've also had other phone calls."
Someone had accessed his Xtra email account, copied the address book and sent the emails out.
The return email address listed on the email had been subtly altered by spelling Plew with two 'e's and the address to Yahoo so he would not get replies.
Mr Plew said he contacted Xtra and it had made changes to his email security, as well as to his password.
"I'm always very careful," he said, pointing out he had virus and security software for his PC and laptop.
"I always run my email on the Xtra server, I don't download it to my own computers. But somehow, they managed to get into my email account."
He described feeling "not very flash" when he was told about the email scam.
"It's hard to stop. It's already gone out so you can't retract it," he said.
The scam email says Mr Plew is in Spain "for a program".
It goes on to say, in the exact words of the email. -
"Am having some difficulties here because I misplaced my bag on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were kept. Presently I have limited access to internet."
"I will like you to assist me with a loan just to sort-out my hotel bills and to get myself back home because I called my bank for a wire transfer but it has proven almost impossible to operate my account from here as they made me understand international transactions take 14 working days to be effective which I can't wait.
"I feel so devastated, now my passport and other belongings are been retained by the hotel management pending the time I pay my hotel bills. This is shameful, I need you to help me with a loan of (1,550USD) to pay my hotel bills and get my self home.
"I will reimburse you soon as I get back home. I will appreciate whatever you can assist me with. Let me know if you can be of help."
