Hacker poses as Gants Hill charity founder in attempted con
A hacker gained control over a Gants Hill woman’s charity email account to ask for money with a sob story.
The hoax email was sent to the mailing list of charity EKTA, written in the name of its founder and chief executive Ramesh Verma, 69.
The email said Mrs Verma was in Madrid, and she had misplaced her possessions, with no internet access.
The hacker, posing as Mrs Verma, asked for a loan of 2,850 Euros, which would be refunded upon Mrs Verma’s “return”.
But the charity founder was safe and sound in the UK.
You may also want to watch:
She said: “There must be something wrong with the people who do this. But they don’t realise they are doing so much harm to others.”
Mrs Verma said she and her family received “about 500” phone calls from people who had read the email and were worried about her.
Most Read
- 1 Thirteen-year-old boy stabbed in Ilford
- 2 Restaurant apologises after allegations of verbal abuse between staff
- 3 'Cheating surge': Dating site reveals how many people are having affairs in your area
- 4 Vulnerable woman dies burning charcoal for warmth after gas and electricity are cut off
- 5 16-year-old arrested after woman reports sexual assault in South Woodford
- 6 Seven Kings School celebrates 90th birthday with fair
- 7 Young Citizen nominee: Esha, 4, who inspired thousands to join bone marrow donor list
- 8 Co-living development green-lit by council despite 'rabbit hutch' rooms
- 9 Hainault community garden gets £85k for 'ecotherapy' scheme
- 10 Met Office warns of flooding risk with heavy rain set to hit London
Even contacts in Spain emailed back offering her a place to stay.
Many said they were about to send money, but EKTA’s project manager contacted everyone on the mailing list explaining the hoax, before anyone did so.
EKTA, which means unity, is a 25-year-old good cause which helps about 120 elderly Asian people who feel isolated, confused, and depressed due to the language barrier.
The hacker erased Ms Verma’s inbox, which has caused the charity some problems.
This is the first such issue the charity has had and Mrs Verma thinks the culprit could be someone who knows information about the good cause.
Despite this the proud OBE said: “It’s made me realise how much support I have.
“It made me realise that when I die there will be a lot of people at my funeral!” she joked.
Police are investigating the case.
