I think i got a prank e-mail :(...?

Question

I think someone sent me a prank e-mail asking me if i had found my mother and then saying they knew where she was. i don't know yet if it's a prank but i'm trying to figure out how they got my work e-mail. Is it common to get prank e-mails when you're searching? if so is there anything i can do about it? it's not funny in the least.

Answer 1

Certainly would be a terribly mean prank. But I hope it's for real. Good luck

Answer 2

I'm leaning towards a prank - why else would they ask you if you have found your mother and then tell you they knew where she was.

Unfortunately, there is that nagging thought that they MIGHT actually have something that could be useful.  Answer it carefully - ask them lots of questions starting with "Who are you and how did you get my email address?"  

At some point they will either reveal the information (leaning toward but not guaranteed genuine) or ask for money or a meeting (fraud).  Under no circumstances reveal anything they don't already know.  You know to be careful.

Answer 3

Does someone who would have that work address or know where you work, know that you are searching?  Do you recognize the email address?  If it is a prank you should report it to their email service provider.  I would plug the email into google and do a search.  Maybe someone has tried to scam other people using that same email address.  Make sure that you keep a copy of it in case you ever need it for proof.  I am sorry that someone did that to you!

Answer 4

Be careful.  I'll pray its real!  We are all here for you.

If its fake, i would call the non-emergency police phone number in your area to see how to protect yourself and if you can file charges.  If its fake, its one of the cruelest things i've ever heard of.

big hugs.

Answer 5

Be careful though... I thought my birth-mom's email was a hoax... it wasn't. Ask this person personal questions related to you and your adoption, stuff you haven't posted anywhere, to see if it might be legitimate. Tell this person that you are curious but hesitant... if they are real, they'll stick with you.

Answer 6

What? did you email them back? how'd they get the number? If they were messing with you thats the meanest thing I've heard of in a loooooooong time. I'm so sorry...show me where they're at, i'll go get my baseball bat!!

Answer 7

there r ways u can find her

Answer 8

If you received this email on your work address, I would notify the administrator of your computer system (the TI Dept.) and/or the server.  Give them all the facts, explain that there might be some truth behind it.  They can often tell where things came from, even if the message bounced around several countries.  My husband once received a strange message...and they were able to trace it all the way to the exact computer that it was sent from.  The cyber world may seem anonymous, but it is not.

Answer 9

if it is not true it is definitely not funny but if you want to know you will just have to keep in contact with this person i hope for your sake that all is above board

Answer 10

well it probably is a prank , but its not funny , and people can get your email easy because if they know where you work , then they can call your work place and ask for it!

Answer 11

That is very much worth checking into!  If it is your work e-mail address and you don't give it out then i would say it's a possibility.  We all get messed with so much anymore in this world that it makes us all so cautious that we never go after anything. The outcome is that we never find anything we look for cause were so scared. Check into it but do proceed with caution.    If it is a prank then tell whoever is behind it never to contact you again, that is cruel beyond words.

I hope so much for you that it's real! Good luck!!

Answer 12

What a mean prank, if that be the case.  You know, if you don't use that email address on any registries, it would make no sense that it's someone from a reunion registry.  What beegirl suggests is good.  Google that address.  Hold onto it, as well.  Email addresses can usually be traced back to their owners via IP hops.  Someone made threats once to an organization in which my husband is a member.  This person thought he had cleverly used an anonymous email address, but the police tracked him through that address.

If you want, you can email the person back and see if the person can answer some questions only someone who'd located your mother could know.  

I contacted  my sister via her MySpace page.  Because of information that only our mother's family members could know, we both knew we were the right people.

I'm sorry someone is doing this if it's a prank  How heartless.

Answer 13

I've heard that ALOT from both adoptees and first mothers, some even asking for money?!.  It's the cruelist and sickest prank I've ever heard of and I'm so sorry it happened to you

Suggest a DNA test and see what response you get.  

Hugs

Answer 14

Not sure if there is anything you can do about it. Did you use your work email as a contact email in your search? I know its hard, but I would suggest not believing anything or getting your hopes up about your mother until you have some form of proof. Good luck in your search. I am sure its someone common to get pranks though. Some people are just mean and find themselfs so funny. I am sorry.

Answer 15

No I agree that is not funny. However it could truly be someone who knows your birthmother. As far as your email you would be surprised what person can find out if they are willing to pay money. This could be someone who personnel knows your birthmother. Is there questions you could send back to verify  things?

Answer 16

be careful. i guess it cant hurt to reply. but dont give them any personal info. if they have info let them give it to you. the possibility is there for this to be real, but it all sounds odd.

i never got anything like this when i was searching. no one contacted me at all.

you are right, if this is a prank, its not funny. at all.

keep us posted.

Answer 17

I'm so sorry but I would say it was a prank.

Only because someone that was serious wouldnt taunt you that they knew where she was but rather tell you.

If I were to write an email like that to someone I would be saying this is your birth mothers name and phone number (or email or address) The ball is now in your court for contact. I wouldnt be saying I know where she is with no info. I would want you to know it was legit.

Answer 18

No I agree....if indeed a prank...NOT Funny.

Is it possible she is looking for you?

Have you resistered for any search services?