Email Scam?

[Arrods]

Just had an email from a distant cousin asking me to email back as soon as possible as he wishes to ask a favour. I'm just a bit suspicious as the phraseology doesn't sound like my cousin. I've asked other cousins with whom we've been in contact over years if they've received similar. Responses awaited.

Am I right in being reluctant to do as requested? We don't have a phone contact number for them though I'm in the phone book if they really want to contact me.

[Khandro]

If in doubt, leave it out. I've had the like purporting to be from a doctor friend in desperate situation in somewhere remote needing immediate funds and turned out to be a scam, by someone having hacked into his address book.

[Gizmonster]

Does the email address you by name and is it signed with your cousin's name??
If in doubt, you could always reply and ask them a question which you know they'll give a wrong answer to, such as, "how's your sister Debra?" ... when you know your cousin doesn't have any sisters .... or something along them lines ??

[maggiebee]

If it's not a scam he will contact you again. I would delete.

[jno]

by all means email him if you already had his address, just don't do it by clicking Reply. Start a new email.

[novalis]

SCAM!!! Upper case deliberate.

[murraymints]

ignore some one wants to validate your e mail address...

[Arrods]

A cousin has spoken to my cousin on the 'phone. He confirms it is a scam, unless you believe that he is stranded in Turkey and needs £2,000 otherwise 'they' won't release him.