[Qcwa] Russian Ham family in Need?

[Gregory W. Moore]

Frankly, this does not add up. There is no Amateur named  Mihalin, 
Valentin Listed in Kaluga, Russia (using the QRZ data base and the 
Buckmaster HamCall Database.

In addition, this message doesn't ring true. As a person who has 
recieved a series of those scam messages from Nigeria, the wording 
sounds strangely alike, like this person was copying the style of a 
successful scam artist.  Therefore, IMHO, I believe it to be a hoax and 
a potential scam.

Now, since I had been getting a large series of messages from Nigeria, 
which I know to be a real bunco operation indeed, I just happen to have 
the email address of the Financial Crimes Section of the US Secret 
Service. I usually forward such messages to them with a intro of "FYI 
only, no financial loss, contact, or business dealings with the sender".
Their email is as follows: US Secret Service Financial Fraud Section 
<419.fcd@usss.treas.gov>
73 de Greg WA3IVX

Lee & Charlene Manning wrote:

>Don't have any idea of the validity of this young man's story; however, I'd rather be a chump than a cretin.  This was received as an email today, and I decided to pass it on.  His email is vm@userline.ru <vm@userline.ru>
>
>Dear Colleague,
> 
>Please excuse me for any inconvenience caused by this message. I'm a radio amateur and have decided to appeal to you because of our hopeless situation.
>
>My name is Valentin, I'm a student and I live with my mother and brother in the city of Kaluga, Russia. My mother is an invalid because she lost her sight. She does not see and she receives a pension very rare from the government which is not enough even for supporting our lives.
> 
>My brother is a heavy invalid too, because of the accident happened 5 years ago. A big part of his body is paralyzed. The corrupt government does not pay any pension to him and to many other Russian invalids.
> 
>During several years I take care of my mother and brother. I have a small piece of land in the forest where grow vegetables during the summer. But this summer was very hot and it was not raining, therefore all the vegetables withered. 
> 
>I'm very afraid that the cold winter is setting in and I do not know what my family could eat afterwards. Several months ago I sold my radio equipment, but it did not help to keep us alive for a long time. Therefore all of us are doomed to starvation and death.
>
>The only chance we have to survive is to use public access to the internet at our school to appeal to you directly for help. If you have any old warm clothes which you are not using anymore, as well as anything that is possible to eat, I would be more than happy if you could send it to our home address is:
> 
>Valentin Mihailin,
>Ryleeva Street, 6-45
>Kaluga. 248030
>Russia.
> 
>If you think that it would be better to send some money, please write me back and I will give you details on the best way of sending it safely.  It is a very good way to help, because of the crisis food-stuffs in Russia are very cheap.
> 
>I pray very much for your help and I hope to hear from you soon.
>
>73,
> 
>Valentin and my family.
>Kaluga. Russia.
>
>
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