[UK-CONTEST] Re - Hacker of Cambridge.

[brian coyne]

I didn't read my mail until today but must confess that I was completely taken in by this hacker - shame on him.
 
Although some of the wording was rather strange, we may not be quite coherent in the stress of the moment. I did realise, as I have never met Bob, my contacts with him have always been remote, that he must have addressed it to all contacts in his address book and I thought that was a very inspired move in the cicumstances where time was of the essence in getting help and out of that hotel and in time for the flight. Yep I fell for it hook line and sinker but being late to read the story realised that something would have already been organised so I checked the CDXC website, where I was certain there would be some comment, to learn that others were brighter than me and sussed out the scam.
 
In defence of my naivity I would say that this actually happened to my partner and I in Jakarta last year. We were sitting on a wall which bordered the road waiting for a bus. It was my responsibility to carry the shoulder bag contaimg everything important  for our 6 week trip, it was sturdily made so that it could not be quickly cut by a snatcher with a knife.. I was hot and sweaty so took it off my shoulder and placed it on the wall between us.
 
I was casually looking around when my partner screamed and dived full length across the wall. A drive by motor cyclist was snatching the strap of the bag, she managed to get both hands onto the bag and held on for dear life, being dragged forward by the motion
 of the bike. her grip was so firm that he wobbled falling from the bike and losing  his grip on the bag, unfortunately his engine continued to run and by the time I was over the wall he remounted and I was unable to get a grip on his bike.
 
Her screams were so loud that not only passers by but nearby shopkeepers came out to see what  the commotion was all about. Ironic then that two motor cycle Police who were actually parked sitting on their bikes chatting directly opposit us on the other side of the road were looking the other way and just shrugged when I shouted and poimted to the disappearing thief.
 
My partner puts her alertness down to being brought up on the streets of London whereas it was nearly ll over before this country bumpkin realised anything was happening. Actually it was a pebbledash wall and her arms, knees and thighs were very badly scraped and cut requiring a visit to a Phamacy so we never made the bus trip that day and when we eventually did it was an experience we never wish to repeat but that is another story.
 
As Bob has now reported that the hacker managed to forward and divert replies it shows how easy it can be for these lowlifes to con money out of distressed family and concerned friends.. We are used to the mails from would be Nigerian Bank Managers .but this scam takes the biscuit.
 
73  Brian 5B4AIZ.