Below is the transcript of a real Facebook Chat conversation between a savvy user, Derek, and a scammer who has gained access to Derek's friend's account and is trying to trick Derek out of money.

Pretending to be Derek's friend Jill, the scammer tells Derek that she was mugged at gunpoint in London, and that she needs him to wire her $890 immediately. Derek becomes more and more suspicious as the conversation progresses and ultimately realizes that the person he's talking to isn't his friend, and that the story he's being told is a lie.

Derek does a couple things to expose the scammer. First, he asks to talk to Jill over the phone before sending her the money. The scammer makes an excuse, but asks for Derek's number so that he can call him later. Of course, he doesn't intend to do this, since if he does, Derek will know that he's a fake.

The conversation continues, with the scammer explaining to Derek how to send money through Western Union's website. Still wary, Derek asks how he can be sure that he's talking to his friend. He starts testing the scammer with questions about his relationship with Jill. When the scammer provides the wrong answers, Derek knows for sure. There's no way this person can be his friend.

We encourage you to read the entire conversation so you know what to look for in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation. Remember to always keep in mind these important tips:

• Don't send money to someone without first talking to the person over the phone.


• Ask plenty of questions and confirm the story with mutual friends.


• If a scammer has gained access to your account or a friend's, report it to us immediately.

Jill: hi

Derek: morning...u in NYC?

Jill: am in London and am stranded here

Derek: why? no flights home?

Jill: i was mugged at a gun point last night

Derek: whoah....are u ok?

Jill: am not fine
i just need some help

Derek: good....what do u need?

Jill: am coming back home tomorrow
i just need some money in paying off the hotel bills

Derek: oh sorry...u said not fine....thought u said fine....how can I help

Jill: i need you to loan me some money in paying off the hotel bills...will refund back to you as soon as am back home...

Derek: k. how do I do that

Jill: you can have it transfered to my name ..
[address redacted]

Derek: how do I do that?

Jill: do you know any western union outlet around you?

Derek: there are. a few blocks away

Jill: should i wait for you here ?? or you will email me the transferd info

Derek: don't they need your account number or something
how much cash do u need?

Jill: nope..
$890

Derek: can u call me?

Jill: ughhh,i really cant call for now but let me have your phone number ?

Derek: [phone number redacted]

Jill: ok
how soon will this take you ?

Derek: give me an hour or so

Jill:ok
ok

Derek: do u think I can do this online?

Jill: uhmm i don't know
hold on a sec while i check

Derek: are u at a western unnion office now?

Jill: no i am in a public library but an outlet is just 15mins away from here
got it !!
you can atually do it online.. visit westernunion . com
did you get that?

Derek: yes
so which office am I sending it to?

Jill: are you on it?

Derek: yep

Jill: Choose your location,location where you are sending the money to :- United Kingdom,select money in mins option and then create an account to continue

Derek: so which location?

Jill: United Kingdom
let me know if you need anymore details

Derek: so you are going to go to the office and pick it up?

Jill: yes its just 15mins away from here

Derek: not to be anal...but how do I know this is really u?

Jill: ofcourse its me derek.. if i wasn't the one i want ask you to wire $$ to my name and more over WU western union requires a valid ID before i can get the money here so you need to make sure you fill in my name correctly

Derek: how do you know me?

Jill: from work

Derek: huh?

Jill: Software company

Derek: nope
try again

Jill: are you helping me ?

Derek: where did we have lunch two weeks ago?

Jill: we had no lunch
i just need this from you

Derek: beat it