Message from old school friend asking for money

[peppermintcloud]

My husband received a message from a girl he went to school with but hasn't heard from since. She says that another of their old classmates has recently lost his wife and is now alone parenting their 3 children. She's collecting money for him and included her bank details.
The country they are from is quite deprived. It's not the first time he's been contacted for money since moving out of the country, but this is the only time it's been for someone else
The message contained no introduction like "how are you?" or "it's been a while!". Just straight into it.

What would you do in this situation?

I'd send what i could afford , even if it's just a fiver. You know it's genuine, because you've reached out to others about it.

If he’s determined it’s real, he should buy a cheap phone with a new number and ask her to call him on it. He should recognise her voice and can ask questions only she knows the answer to. Personally I think it’s a scam

Saw your update at 22.32. I would still ignore on it. Someone who has not been in contact since school suddenly messages without giving your DH a second thought and just asks for money. Not a chance.
For 1 it doesnt take a few moments to have some good manners, and 2, sharing this guys personal details over the internet to people he doesnt or hardly knows is very dodgy. Im all up for giving a bit of money for people that I know, but the way this has been handled by the person sending the message is just rude.

I wouldn't risk even 1p in case it turns into regular demands

Well, it wasn't a scam...

Well, it wasn't a scam...

Nope, just blatant begging.