If you’ve ever fantasized about would it would be like to be swindled by someone posing as Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, you’re in luck.
Mutombo was riled up yesterday, warning his followers three separate times that his email account had been hacked and used for fraudulent emails that suggested he was in Philippines and in need of cash. Since then, we heard from someone who received an attempted scam email. Because our tipster knew the actual Mutombo, and had previously corresponded with him in person, by phone, and via email, he decided to follow up on the note to check if the defensive great was actually in trouble. Here’s their exchange in full:
From: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO <[email protected]>
Reply-To: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 12:48 PM
To: [redacted]
Subject: URGENT : DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Hi,
How have you been doing? I am sorry that I did not inform you that I was traveling to Philippines for a business trip. Please I will be needing your urgent help with some cash at the moment, My credit cards are not working over here and I need to sort out hotel bills and book a return ticket. I will want you to make a Western Union transfer of $3,450 to my name and present location. I will make a refund once I find my self back home.
Get back to me so I can forward you details on how to make the transfer to me.
DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Chairman & President
DIKEMBE MUTOMBO FOUNDATION
4042632189. W
4042122198. FAX
18612892198
Then our tipster replied:
From: [redacted]
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 6:58 PM
To: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Subject: Re: URGENT : DIKEMBE MUTOMBODikembe
Happy to assist you IF this request is legitimate, and your good name has not been shoplifted by someone attempting to defraud
Call me at my direct number if you continue to need the help...
[number redacted]
The scammers replied:
From: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 1:03 PM
To: [redacted]
Subject: Re: URGENT : DIKEMBE MUTOMBOThank you so much I will make a refund once I find my self back home.
Find details below.
Receivers Name : DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Receivers Address: 228 Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Amount : $3,450
Get back to me with the WU Mtcn# once it’s done. My passport is attached below.
Our tipster sent one last note:
From: [redacted]
Date: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 1:05 PM
To: DIKEMBE MUTOMBO <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: URGENT : DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
Call me Dikembe
[number redacted]
As you can imagine, need to confirm this request is actually from you
“My office yesterday contacted Dikembe’s to check into this, and confirmed the email was a fraud,” the tipster said. If you received this email or anything similar, heed Mutombo’s advice:
So long as you stay cautious, they will not win in the House of Mutombo.