New twist in scam
A new twist has surfaced in the stranded traveler con in Washington County. A Chartiers Township woman told local police she was contacted Tuesday morning via an email that appeared to have been sent by her attorney.
Officer Charles Stevenson said the resident of Arden Villas got the email just before 10 a.m. from what she recognized as her attorney’s email address.
“She said that it was his correct email address,” Stevenson said.
Written in the subject line of the email was “Terrible Condition!!!” with the attorney’s name. The email went on to explain that he made an unannounced vacation trip to Kiev, Ukraine, but “missed placed” his phone and wallet on his way to the hotel. He also claimed his return flight was leaving in a few hours and the hotel manager would not let him leave until he settled the hotel bill.
The email continued, asking for a loan and promising to repay it as soon as he returned home. The recipient also was asked to respond immediately so the sender could “let you know the easiest way to get it to me.”
“She called the office and talked to her attorney’s wife, who said that other clients had received emails,” Stevenson said.
Previous traveler scams have been made over the telephone with callers claiming to be a relative who was jailed in another state and needed bond money or needed cash after being in a crash.
“Similar scams have been reported in other parts of the country, but this is a first for our department,” said Chief James Horvath. “She absolutely did the right thing by checking before she did anything else.”
Stevenson suggested anyone getting emails also notify their local police department.