Dear Editor:

I got this in my email this morning, purportedly from a woman I know quite well, her correct email address and everything.

“I really hope you get this fast,” it read. “I could not inform anyone about our trip, because it was impromptu. we had to be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Tour. The program was successful, but our journey has turned sour. (We) misplaced our wallet and cell phone on our way back to the hotel we lodge in after we went for sight seeing. The wallet contained all the valuables we had. Now, our passport is in custody of the hotel management pending when we make payment.

“I am sorry if I am inconveniencing you, but I have only very few people to run to now. I will be indeed very grateful if I can get a short term loan from you ($2,250 USD). (T)his will enable me sort our hotel bills and get my sorry self back home. I will really appreciate whatever you can afford in assisting me with. I promise to refund it in full as soon as soon as I return. You can have the $2,250 USD wired to me via Western Union. Have it wired to my name and present location, here are the details you need to have it wired to me.”

I took a risk and forwarded this same message back to her, at the same email address, and lo! she herself (apparently) responded, “Me too! Malaysia of all places! Hope it was fixed with change of password. Thanks. Sent from my iPhone.”

This scamming is getting so pernicious, I am contemplating reviving the Edgecomb brickworks to make clay tablets, equipped with styli, so we can hurl them at one another. So much more secure!

Jo Cameron
Edgecomb