I received this email too, and thought it was fishy from the start. I opened a dialog with the guy and this is what happened.
"Hello!
I'm sorry I didn't inform you about my traveling... am presently in
London, United Kingdom on short vacation and as i write to you
now..its unbelievable am stuck here,got mugged at gun point on my way
to the hotel and my money,credit cards,phone and other valuable things
were taken off me at gun point, thanking Almighty God for save
keeping my passport., i really need your urgent assistance quickly ? I JUST
NEED SOME FEW HUNDREDS $$$ TO SORT OUT MY HOTEL BILLS AND i promise
to refund it back to you once i get home cause i still have some cash
in my account but i cant access any here right now ,already canceled
all my cards immediately after the muggers took my things off me!!!
still at the public internet library where am making use of the free
internet access, i will forever be grateful if you can help
me,Waiting to hear from you quickly cos my flight leaves in few hrs
but need to sort the hotel bills and please save me from been embarrassed.
Thanks.
Rick"
My response:
"Hello Rick,
I sure don't mind helping out, but sorry for being suspicious can you
give me some prove of that it is really you.
Thanks,
Marcel"
His reply:
"It's me, omg!! this is for real, i'm doing everything possible to get
myself back home peacefully.. have been to the cops to report the
matter but they said i should wait for 2 weeks for proper
investigation and i cant wait for that cos am freaked out here.
Though the consulate are helping me out with my return ticket but i
need some $$ i dont just have enough on me right now, will pay back
once i get home."
My second response:
"I'm sorry, but the way this communication is going is (almost) proof enough for me that you are not Rick. A few simple answers will proof me wrong.
1. What did you build for me and in which year?
2. How much did I pay you for it and how?
Marcel"
After this no reply what so ever. In the meantime Rick has informed all the people in his maillist about this scam.
Marcel