Brethren: I've literally just read an article on the website masonicinfo.com and sounds a bit like this situation, here it is:
'MUGGED IN LONDON' email
Perhaps not coincidentally, the day following those invitations being sent, I received - at two personal email addresses - a plea from a Brother Mason in Canada claiming to have been in London where he was mugged. The email, somewhat predictably, asked for cash. However, as this Brother was seriously ill at the time and such travel would have been completely impossible for him, I knew the message to be a scam.
Further, the email was nearly identical to one that another Mason had ostensibly sent this past summer, again claiming to be in London and needing cash. Needless to say, it was false also.
What has happened - in both cases - is that a Mason's email address book had been stolen.
Is it possible that the Canadian Mason signed into the facelodge.com website where his address book was electronically purloined? Perhaps.
Be forewarned that if you do receive an email from someone you know claiming to be in London (or anywhere unexpected) and needing you to send cash, it is a scam! If the situation were as it's presented in the email, why didn't your friend just phone you and talk to you personally? Don't fall for these scams, Brethren!
Also here's the link for the site (sorry if its a mobile address) : http://www.masonicinfo.com/facelodge.htm
KINGTHURMON: It would be wrong for me to assume that you are a scam artist, a thief or a liar and so I will give you the benefit of the doubt, just as i would to anyone, so I don't believe that you are any of these. However there are a lot of people out there who use the name of Freemasonry for personal or malicious gain. Again I'm not saying that you are, but as masons we are taught to be cautious. You really haven't stated what lodge and jurisdiction your from, and your profile only says your a Master Mason. As many other brethren have stated, there are probably better options for you to go by to get the $100.00 to fix your predicament. It seems that your in dire need, and it would probably a time consuming process to find someone close enough to meet you. That's if there is someone close enough to you. Perhaps you can work out something out with the school where you can set up a payment plan? Or request that you can get an extension so as to be able to refund the money? Also do you have any close friends or family that could lend you the money for the time being, so as to not get suspended? Anyway I hope you you figure out you situation, and I certainly hope you don't get suspended from school. I also find it odd that you school is going suspend you over a refunded pair of shoes. Anyway, God bless my friend.
Brethren, correct if i'm wrong, or shed some light if I'm just over reacting.