I received something similar lately. Except I knew they WERE traveling in foreign countries, the e-mail "came" from a country they were actually visiting, so I was concerned. The e-mail claimed their passports and wallets had been stolen, so they were desperate for cash to pay the hotel bill, meals, and pay fees at the embassy to have their documents replaced. Sounded plausible. But no, they got no money from me!
So let's be careful.