[Indydealmaker]

I received an email very similar to this from a person in my contact list who coincidently often traveled abroad. I was both suspicious and concerned, so instead of hitting the reply button, I went to my address book and generated a new email to my "contact" telling him about the email that I had just received from him and asking if it was real.

A few minutes later I received a reply that yes it was real and he would appreciate my help. I was still suspicious.

I then initiated another email that asked a question that only my "real" friend could answer. I never heard another thing.

If you check the "header" of the email, you can usually see the "electronic trail" that will show the email came from somewhere other than the purported source. It's a jungle out there!