Email asking for help is a scam, according to Sheriff

A former Carson City Supervisor has fallen victim to an online scam targeting his friends.

Early Thursday morning an email with Richard Staub's return address was sent out to everyone in his address book, including Sheriff Ken Furlong, claiming he was stuck in London.

The email reads:

Hello!

I'm sorry I didn't inform you about my traveling...

We are presently in London, United Kingdom on short vacation and as i write to you now.. its unbelievable me and my family are stuck here, got mugged at gun point on our way to the hotel and our money, credit cards, phone and other valuable things were taken off me at gun point, thanking Almighty God for save keeping my passport., i really need your urgent assistance quickly?

WE JUST NEED $2,000 TO SORT OUT OUR HOTEL BILLS AND i promise to refund it back to you once i get home cause i still have some cash in my account but i cant access any here right now, already cancelled all my cards immediately after the muggers took my things off me!!! still at the public internet library where we making use of the free internet access, i will forever be grateful if you can help me,

Waiting to hear from you quickly cos my flight leaves in few hrs but need to sort the hotel bills and please save me from been embarrassed.

Furlong said Staub is in Carson City and did not send out the email.

"It's a scam," the sheriff said.