The following is a real email received from my US based colleague travelling bewteen Barcelona and Tarragona. Apparently he is the 5th person to arrive at his hotel in Tarragona under similar circumstances. Without an ID he cannot get an internal flight, take a train, book into a hotel, convert cash.


I have been masterfully robbed of my laptop bag with laptop, passport, green card and wallet with drivers license, personal and corporate credit cards, euros, company access card, medical and dental card etc

Only USD 600 in cash with me with no way to covert. Car disabled (suspect by crooks with left passenger flat- probably happened at rest stop and then distracted me on hwy and robbed me while showing they were helping). Walked back 1.5 km to rest stop. Awaiting Avis roadside assistance.

With all calls, blackberry nearly dead. Charging at rest stop gas station.

Will need significant help over the next few days to replace travel documents and money for hotel stay etc.

If cannot reach BB, can be reached at rest stop gas station (spanish will help greatly) by dialing *9-011-34