Hi, a Canadian friend in Malaga has lost everything in a hotel fire apart from his passport. He has been directed to the embassy in Malaga but he has no money etc. Is there anywhere in Malaga he can go for help?

sounds awful, but tbh that's what his embassy is for, so that's where he should go

Dear me, travellers staying in Malaga hotels seem distressingly likely to find themselves in this unfortunate situation:-
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/colche...euk/message/23

Perhaps the fact that it is such a common occurrence accounts for the fact that the fire hasn't been reported in the local paper, Diario Sur.

..help yourself

well I have a couple of €uros in loose change if he wants it to get a cup of coffee.

IME hotel residents normally grab their wallet and mobile before leaving the room, even if they leave their passport.

but as others have said that is what consular facilities are there for - the nasty bits, get you home bits.

Have you spoken to your friend? It is most likely his email account has been hacked and the same scam email sent to his contacts.

Funny that, my friend as well.

Espero que esto te llegue a tiempo, hice un viaje a Edimburgo, Reino Unido y se me fue robado el bolso con mi Pasaporte Internacional, Tarjetas de Crédito dentro. La Embajada está deseando ayudarme con dejarme tomar un vuelo sin mi Pasaporte, solo que tengo que pagar por el billete y cubrir las cuentas del Hotel. Para mi desgracia, no puedo acceder a mis fondos sin las tarjetas de crédito, ya contacte con mi Banco pero necesitan más tiempo para los procesos y así conseguirme uno nuevo. En esa inoportuna situación he pensado en pedirte un préstamo rápido de fondo que puedo devolverte tan pronto que regrese. Realmente necesito estar en el próximo vuelo.
Puedo enviarte los detalles en cómo hacer llegar los fondos a mí. Puedes localizarme por correo o en la recepción Scottish Boutique Hotel, los números son, +447 0131 662 2090, +447 0131 662 2091
Espero ansiosamente tu respuesta.

hope this reaches you in time, I made a trip to Edinburgh, United Kingdom and my purse was stolen with my international passport, credit cards inside. The embassy is willing to help me with letting me take a flight without my passport, only I have to pay for the ticket and hotel bills cover. To my dismay, I can not access my funds without credit cards, and contact with my bank but they need more time to process and so get me a new one. In this unfortunate situation I thought of asking a payday loan that I can give back background as soon as you return. I really need to be on the next flight.
I can send you the details on how to get the funds to me. You can reach me by mail or at the reception Scottish Boutique Hotel, the numbers are, +447 0131 662 2090, +447 0131 662 2091
I look forward to your response.


Abrazos,
Ana


I really must call & help her.

Suzi

Hi, this happened to me. A friend of mine was in the same sort of situation in Spain but the way her call for help was written made me suspicious. I rang her landline telephone in the UK (not her mobile as it was supposed to have been stolen) and she was at home, happily ignorant of the drama.
If it's a bona fide situation, then he must go to the Canadian Consulate.