The chairman of a UK progressive Zionist group is the latest victim of a Nigerian email scam.
October 10, 2008 08:56ByCandice Krieger, Candice Krieger
The chairman of a British-based progressive Zionist group is the latest victim of a Nigerian email scam.
Someone claiming to be Meretz UK's Yehuda Erdman wrote an email - received by members of the organisation and at the JC - saying he was stranded in Nigeria, where he was working with HIV and Aids sufferers. He appealed - in very questionable English - for hundreds of dollars.
The email reads: "It as [sic] been a very sad and bad moment for me, the present condition that I found myself is very intoxicated for me to explain.
"I forgot my little bag in the Taxi where my money, passport, documents and other valuable things were kept on my way to the hotel am staying, I am in a very bad situation here because I have no money with me.
"I am now owing the Hotel where am staying the sum of $900 and they wanted me to pay the bill soon or else they will hand me over to the Police."
It continues: "I need your help very urgent to enable me return back home successfully without any harm, I am in a terrible and tight situation here I don't even have money to feed myself for a day I have been starving all this while so please understand how urgent I needed your help."
The scammer asks for $2,500 to be sent to a motel in Victoria Island, Lagos, but notes: "I will also appreciate what so ever amount you can afford to send me for now and I promise to reimburse the money back to you once I get back home without hitch delay.
"Kindly look for a Western Union Money Transfer local stores around you and send me the money to my receiving information below...."
When contacted by the JC at home in London this week, Mr Erdman, a British citizen, said he was aware of the email but refused to comment. "All I can say is that it's not me." He has never been to Nigeria. The JC replied to the sender of the email but had not heard back by the time of publication.