Friend stranded in country to pay medical bills

[Z064life]

Hi All,


I have a friend who had to visit Nigeria as her mum was seriously ill. Said friend had to basically pay for medical treatment of her mum, in Nigeria. Unfortunately, her mum passed away.


She is now stranded in Nigeria (passport seized) and can only leave once she pays the remaining £1k medical fee.


She has no extended family and her father has passed away.


In such a situation, what could be done? I did recommend citizens advice bureau but she said they couldn't help (I have no proof that they can, either) and I did mention the UK embassy but she said her appointment is in early March (which is a very long time away in this situation!).


Thanks

[Sarnie]

Who seized the passport???

[davepoth]

The only thing the Embassy could probably do is issue an emergency passport. I'm not sure whether that would help though, it might get your friend into a lot more trouble.

Failing that, she could get a loan from her bank for that amount without too much difficulty if she has a job.

[Z064life]

Ah she can't access her money. Not sure if she notified the bank correctly. I spoke to a friend from Nigeria who informed me this is a common problem. She has her own company etc so she is in a decent position otherwise.


If she gets an emergency passport, it wouldn't fix her problem as she will still have the money to be paid before she can leave.


I can find out who seized the passport and why.



Thanks for the suggestions so far.

[Sarnie]

If she has the money, why can't she access it?

[zac510]

Can you wire her the money yourself from your pocket?

[S1_RS]

Silly question but this is genuine isn't it and not the old scam where people text you pretending to be a friend and asking for money?

[Mobile Chicane]

Two words: Nigeria. Money.

Walk away, no good can come of it.

(You know that.)

[Robb F]

Mobile Chicane said:

Two words: Nigeria. Money.

Walk away, no good can come of it.

(You know that.)

He said it was a friend. I assumed he actually knows this person.

[davepoth]

Sarnie said:

If she has the money, why can't she access it?

This. If she can get to a PC, or even a telephone, she can make the payment in ten minutes.

[Odhran]

Is this a joke?

[QuantumTokoloshi]

Mmmmm, I know Nigeria well and this smells fishy, fishier than a fish laying in fish sauce in a fish market. Run forest run.

[jeff m2]

I suggest you jump straight on a plane and sort it out

You have friends that travel without a credit card???????

[Z064life]

Hi All,


Sorry for the late replies.

As for the whole thing about not having access to money, indeed I am a bit confused as if she spent money on cards, why can't she now? I she trying another card? If so, did she not tell her bank? Is she out on one card but got money in another card which she can't use because of a lack of ATMs? The card broke? etc.


I've fallen out of contact with said friend but I am trying to get the details about who seized the documents etc.

I can see why it does sound a bit dodgy but I have to give this the benefit of the doubt first. But assuming this is genuine, what can be done?


And no, she is not an "internet friend".

[Burrito]

Sounds a lot like the compromised email scam that's been doing the rounds for years: http://www.spamlaws.com/traveler-appeal-scams.html

How did she contact you?

[Z064life]

Burrito said:

Sounds a lot like the compromised email scam that's been doing the rounds for years: http://www.spamlaws.com/traveler-appeal-scams.html

How did she contact you?

I've seen those emails many times and as an experienced IT professional, I don't fall for them. This is a friend who contacted me via emails as she was away, whom I know in person and email every now and then when required.


It's not an email from a random name asking me to donate a large sum of money via western union to invest in a business or anything like that.

[Shay HTFC]

If she has the money, can't she log onto her internet banking, faster payment some money over to you and then you Western Union it across to her?

[Burrito]

Z064life said:

I've seen those emails many times and as an experienced IT professional, I don't fall for them. This is a friend who contacted me via emails as she was away, whom I know in person and email every now and then when required.


It's not an email from a random name asking me to donate a large sum of money via western union to invest in a business or anything like that.

Okay, well be careful, as by the way you've described it you could be set up for a con.

Would she normally contact you in the case of a personal emergency? Did you know she had family in Nigeria?

[Google [bot]]

Z064life said:

I've seen those emails many times and as an experienced IT professional, I don't fall for them. This is a friend who contacted me via emails as she was away, whom I know in person and email every now and then when required.


It's not an email from a random name asking me to donate a large sum of money via western union to invest in a business or anything like that.

[CRB14]

Please just read this. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/stranded-traveler...