I got an email from a friend that he'd been beaten up by street thugs in Manilla and he had no money, no credit cards, no airplane ticket, and no passport. He asked if there was any chance I could wire him $500 so he could get it all straightened out. I was worried because this is a guy who travels a lot. Still, I knew he'd never pay me back. I felt guilty for not sending the money! Two days later I got the exact same email from my sister. I called her and asked if she'd been beaten up by street thugs in Manilla. She said no but she could use the money anyway. I almost fell for the scam!