The OP is talking about an email from a colleague. However, I do seem to remember that if they have stolen laptops and/or phones they will send these mails to all the people in the address list... People will consider the mail to be genuine (it comes from a corporate or known email address after all) and will comply with the request for money which - of course - has to be send to a temporary bank account. I would not act if I had not actually spoken to my friend first...

The 'flat tire scam' is however also a known one. They do it in Costa Rica as well.