Madera County Sheriff John Anderson is warning residents and workers of Madera County to be on the look out for an email that looks like it comes from someone you know. It doesn't, he says. "It's coming from someone who stole your friend's email account."</p><p>Anderson also says that the person who stole the email address, probably pirated its contacts list as well.</p><p>The current letter, already received by a journalist and Madera County employee, reads as follows:</p><p>Subject: Hi</p><p>Hope you get this on time ? Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to the UK for a program, am having some difficulties here because i misplaced my wallet on my way to the hotel where my money and other valuable things were. Presently my passport and my things are been held down by the hotel management pending when i make payment.</p><p>I will like you to assist me with a loan of $2,200 to pay my hotel bills and to get myself back home. I will appreciate whatever you can afford to assist me with, I'll Refund the money back to you as soon as i return, let me know if you can be of any help? ASAP.</p><p>I don't have a phone where i can be reached,please let me know immediately</p><p>Thanks</p><p>Sheriff Anderson says the email contains the victim's actual email address. If you respond the only person who will receive it is the individual impersonating your friend.</p><p>Sheriff Anderson says thieves are able to compromise email accounts by figuring out your password. Once that is accomplished, they then change your password so they can own your account.</p><p>While most people in our community are pretty savvy about distinguishing between legitimate solicitations and scams, Sheriff Anderson still worries that someone may respond to it. He hopes that by issuing this warning now, we can help keep the public from getting scammed.