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An email, circulated just after 6am on Monday morning (August 23), informed recipients, including the Londonderry Sentinel, that head of the Cathedral Youth Club, Jeanette Warke had mislaid her money whilst in Malaysia and implored the loan of a substantial amount of money to get home.

The text of the email said: “Hope you get this on time, sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to Malaysia for a Program, I'm presently in Malaysia and am having some difficulties here because I misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where I stayed. Presently I have limited access to internet, I want you to assist me with a loan of $2,500 to sort-out my hotel bills and to get myself back home.

“I have spoken to the embassy but they are not responding to the matter effectively, I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with so I can get back home, I'll reimburse you upon my return, let me know if you can be of any help so that I can send details on how to get the money to me. Please let me know immediately. Regards, Jeanette Warke.”

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle, Mrs Warke relayed her fears that someone had indeed hacked into her electronic mail account, stating that she became fully aware of the situation when contacted by a member of the press on Monday morning.

“Previously to that I had text from a friend in Cavan who asked for my hotel address, and I thought this was really strange - I thought, gosh what hotel am I supposed to be in. My friend had received an email from me, but it was in answer to an email that I was supposed to respond to, which is really worrying,” Jeanette said.

Mrs Warke confirmed that the email address used in the attempted scam was indeed her regular one, used on a daily [email protected].

“The strange thing is that on Friday, before I left work I could not get into my hotmail address and it said the password I was giving was wrong, this is the password I’ve always used.”

The youth worker also expressed her concern that the hacker has accessed her email address book and is using it to get in touch with all her contacts in an attempt to illicit money under false pretences.

Jeanette said: “I am really worried because I don’t want people out there to think I am in Malaysia and looking for money because that is not the case, I am here in Londonderry. So please do not send me any emails at the minute because I am in the process of changing my details.”

The PSNI in Londonderry also advised people to use caution if they receive this type of email.

A police spokeswoman said: “This sort of scam tries to play on the goodwill of the recipient however the only person who will lose out is you. If you receive an email or letter of this nature do not fooled. Check whether your friend is actually abroad as the email claims. If he or she really was stuck would they not try to contact you directly via the phone as opposed to an email? Make every effort to check that the emails you receive are genuine before entering into any correspondence. Never give out financial or personal details. If you are at all concerned please contact your local Crime Prevention Officer for further advice."