A friend of mine, currently in Portugal, "sent" me a similar message saying that she and her family had been mugged in London and the police were being completely unhelpful and even cruel and she needed money quickly.

So I replied that the US Embassy had emergency LOANS available and I'd send money if she could supply me her birthday and her mother's FIRST name.

Thus far I've heard nothing back.

Gee, I hope she and her family haven't been cast into Newgate or something....