Hi,
In short, here's what happened:
- My parents went on holiday to Ethiopia.
- Were approached by a 'student', around 18 years old at the time, whom they befriended.
- After returning, they set up a monthly money transfer for a small amount to help him through Uni.
- He updated them regularly on his course and his progress, referring to himself as their 'son'.
- At one stage he emailed that his girlfriend was pregnant.
- He married her, they had a child which they named after my father.
- When he finished his Uni course, my parents let him know that they would stop their monthly contribution.
- He recently asked for help for a specific situation and my parents told him they would not help him out.
- Last week he emailed that his son (with the same name as my father) needed heart surgery and that he needed $2100 for the operation. He asked my parents for the money, indicating that the alternative would be praying and waiting for the child to die.
- My parents transferred the money. This was four days ago.
- Today they emailed me this, at the same time indicating he would go to jail if he didn't come up with the extra money:
Hello, how are you doing today?
The operation had finished successfully last Saturday but still [child's] condition in dangerous because he breathe with the help of oxygen. The operation take 5 hour and 25 five minute, that time was so extremely worse and desperate. I was not hope he can survive because they told me the operation coronary bypass surgery by using pump machine. It is bad. Still he not wakes well and we fright so much. We had agreed to back [wife] to [home] to beg money from her families but the doctor told us she not go there. Yesterday [wife] had ringed for her father and uncle as they send money but they can send only 310 dollar but after this we need at least about 521- 600 including our bread and tea. We are very anxious to get money because you have warning me as I not ask you any money, it is deserve for you because you sent what you can….. ,The money what we have is not enough to cover the total cost what we keeping from hospital, if we stay more from hospital the cots will increase . I have decided to take him to [home] but [wife] and doctors not agree, the doctor strictly warning me as I not try it. If I out him from hospital he will die soon, I don’t like lost my child but all alternative to get money closed. What you say me???
I am eagerly looking your hope full response. I am so so sorry. I understand your decision and idea but what can you do in my place? Please pray for [child] and us.
- Sounds like a scam to me. I've kept quiet till now. Please let me know your thoughts.
In short, here's what happened:
- My parents went on holiday to Ethiopia.
- Were approached by a 'student', around 18 years old at the time, whom they befriended.
- After returning, they set up a monthly money transfer for a small amount to help him through Uni.
- He updated them regularly on his course and his progress, referring to himself as their 'son'.
- At one stage he emailed that his girlfriend was pregnant.
- He married her, they had a child which they named after my father.
- When he finished his Uni course, my parents let him know that they would stop their monthly contribution.
- He recently asked for help for a specific situation and my parents told him they would not help him out.
- Last week he emailed that his son (with the same name as my father) needed heart surgery and that he needed $2100 for the operation. He asked my parents for the money, indicating that the alternative would be praying and waiting for the child to die.
- My parents transferred the money. This was four days ago.
- Today they emailed me this, at the same time indicating he would go to jail if he didn't come up with the extra money:
Hello, how are you doing today?
The operation had finished successfully last Saturday but still [child's] condition in dangerous because he breathe with the help of oxygen. The operation take 5 hour and 25 five minute, that time was so extremely worse and desperate. I was not hope he can survive because they told me the operation coronary bypass surgery by using pump machine. It is bad. Still he not wakes well and we fright so much. We had agreed to back [wife] to [home] to beg money from her families but the doctor told us she not go there. Yesterday [wife] had ringed for her father and uncle as they send money but they can send only 310 dollar but after this we need at least about 521- 600 including our bread and tea. We are very anxious to get money because you have warning me as I not ask you any money, it is deserve for you because you sent what you can….. ,The money what we have is not enough to cover the total cost what we keeping from hospital, if we stay more from hospital the cots will increase . I have decided to take him to [home] but [wife] and doctors not agree, the doctor strictly warning me as I not try it. If I out him from hospital he will die soon, I don’t like lost my child but all alternative to get money closed. What you say me???
I am eagerly looking your hope full response. I am so so sorry. I understand your decision and idea but what can you do in my place? Please pray for [child] and us.
- Sounds like a scam to me. I've kept quiet till now. Please let me know your thoughts.