Hi Guys
I received an email perportedly from Marechal Bill Peterson. It is copied below:
"Hope you get this on time, I made a trip to Madrid, Spain and had my bag stolen from me with my passport, cash and credit cards in it. Unfortunately for me, I've made contact with my bank but they are not providing a fast solution. I need you to lend me some money to sort my self out of this predicament, I will pay back as soon as I return.
Western Union transfer is the best option to send money to me. Let me know if you need my details(Full names/location) to make the transfer. You can reach me via email or the hotel's desk phone +34962463149.
I await your response....

> Bill"
I am of a rather suspicious nature and as soon as the phrase "Western Union" was mentioned, alarm bells began to ring as tis is the method of transfer of funds requested in the vast majority of scams. Not only that, but the email did not contain my name, name of the hotel etc.
I entered the telephone number quoted into google and the response is as below:
"googlemail & facebook accounts hacked. Gmail inbox & sent mail gone, how do I retrieve them? Report abuse
alexandra.m.williams
Level 1
7/4/11
Explain your issue in full detail here:
This message was sent out to all my gmail contact this morning. I couldn't access my account or my facebook account either. Since I have reset my password and re entered to find all my inbox & sent messages gone! Can I retrieve them if so how and also any email sent to me today is directed straight into my spam box, how can I change this?
Hi
My regrets for this sudden request, On my trip to Valencia, Spain. I got mugged and all my belongings cash, cellphone and credit cards were all stolen at gun point. I need your help as am trying to raise some money.
I've made contact with my bank but the best they can do is to mail me a new card which will take 2-3 days to arrive here. I need you to lend me some money to sort my self out of this predicament, will pay back once I get this over with.
Western Union Transfer is the fastest option to wire funds to me. Let me know if you need my details(Full names/location) to effect atransfer. You can reach me via email*************or the hotel's desk phone +34962463149
Best Regards
Alexandra Williams
I hope you havent' been a victim to the above in the past or in the distant future, not v.nice and it caused alot of upset in others and inconvience to myself
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Best answers
Andrei V
Level 1
7/26/11
Popular answer Go to this answer
Same thing happened to our priest in London, he has got a yahoo account:
Hope you get this on time, I made a trip to Madrid, Spain and had my bag stolen from me with my passport, cash and credit cards in it. Unfortunately for me, I've made contact with my bank but they are not providing a fast solution. I need you to lend me some money to sort my self out of this predicament, I will pay back once I get this over with.
Western Union transfer is the best option to send money to me. Let me know if you need my details(Full names/location) to make the transfer. You can reach me via email or the hotel's desk phone +34962463149.
I await your response....
Fr A. N."
It would appear that Marechal Peterson's internet account may have been hacked. This email is hopfully to prevent anyone falling foul of this scam. There is no question that this email was sent without Bill's knowledge.
This probably isn't the correct forum to bring this up but I wanted to make as many people aware as possible as quickly as possible.
I have notified Marechal Peterson seperately of this.