CAREHouse director’s bogus Spain perils cause flood of emails

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Niki Whitaker’s alleged dire straits and potential injuries in a Spain hotel fire created havoc and concern among friends and colleagues in Baldwin County today.

The 8:07 a.m. email, allegedly send by the executive director of CAREHouse, a child advocacy center, stirred hundreds of responses.

She described herself as confused, without a phone and in need of cash.

But the email was bogus and highly exaggerated her potential demise, to paraphrase Mark Twain.

“I am fine and working in Summerdale,” Whitaker said at 3 p.m. “It is a hoax”

Whitaker notified the Baldwin County District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies to track the email origin.

“I have no idea where it came from, but this is the second time it has happened,” she said.

Here is the text of the bogus email:

I am writing you in a tensed mood, I had traveled to (SPAIN) on a short holiday and unfortunately for me the hotel I lodged got razed by fire.

I am so confused right now, I don't know what to do or where to go. I didn't bring my phones here and the hotel telephone lines were disconnected during the incident.

So I have access to only emails. Please i (sic) need Financial assistance for me to relocate to another hotel and also get another flight ticket.

As soon as I get home I would refund it immediately. Please I need you to get back to me as soon as possible. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Niki Whitaker - Executive Director CARE House, Inc. Baldwin County Child Advocacy

Whitikers’s email response to concerned emailers:

Please note that if you received an email from carehouse@bellsouth.net indicating that I am in Spain and need your help, it is a hoax!

I assure you that I am safely working at the CARE House location in Summerdale, Alabama. The bellsouth account receives a lot of emails daily and is checked and monitored by our administrative assistant.

She is running virus scans and Bellsouth has been notified. I apologize if this has caused you any inconveniences.

Again, please do not send money to me in Spain. Although, if you have funds to share, we do accept tax deductible donations to CARE House on our website at bccarehouse.org. :-)

Thank you & Merry Christmas!

Niki Whitaker