One of our faithful readers, Daryl Short, also happens to be the member of the Martina Hingis Mailing List hosted by hingis.org.  Recently, this mailing list got a frightening warning in the guise of this email:

 Subject:   Don't trust anybody !!!

Those of you who need to travel overseas, please be careful. Be careful when travelling to Australia..... The following story was sent by a friend.  This is a MUST READ !!! It's really scary, so be extra careful when you travel!!!
This is a true story, it has been confirmed, the Medical Centre phone number at the end of this story is real!

A friend in Australia rang it to confirm it, as he did not believe the
story to begin with either.  This guy went out on a Saturday night a few weeks ago to a party.  He was  having a good time and had a couple of beers and some girl seemed to like him & invited him to go to another party.  He quickly agreed & decided to go along with her. She took him to a party in some apartment and they continued to drink, & even got involved with some drugs (unknown).

The next thing he knew, he woke up completely naked in a bathtub filled with ice. He was still feeling the effects of the drugs, but looked around to see he was alone.  He looked down at his chest, which had "CALL 000 or YOU'LL DIE" written on it with lipstick. He saw a phone was on a stand next to the bathtub so he picked it up & dialled. He explained to the EMS operator what the situation was & that he didn't know where he was, what he took, or why he was really calling. She advised him to get out of the tub. He did, and he appeared normal, so she told him to check his back. He did, he found two 9 inch slits on his lower back. She told him to get back into the tub immediately, and they sent a rescue team over. Apparently, after being examined, he found out more of what had happened. His kidneys were stolen.

They were worth $10,000 each in the black market. (I was unaware this even existed). Several guesses are in order: The second party was a sham, the people involved had to be at least medical students & it was not just reactions drugs he was given. Regardless, he is currently in the hospital on a life support, awaiting a spare kidney. The University of Sydney in conjunction with the Royal Prince Alfred hospital is conducting tissue research to match the victim with a donor.  I wish to warn you about a new crime ring that is targeting business travellers. This ring is well organised and well funded, has very skilled personnel & is currently operating in most major cities around the world and recently very active in Sydney.

<some redundant content snipped> 

This is not a scam or out of science fiction novel. It is real.  It is
documented and confirmable. If you travel or someone close to you travels, please be careful. Sadly, this is very true. My friend's husband is a Sydney EMT and they have received alerts regarding this crime ring. It is to be taken very seriously.

The daughter of a friend of a fire-fighter had this happen to her.
Skilled doctors are performing these crimes!  (which,  by the way
have been highly noted in the Brisbane area).  Additionally, the
military has received alerts regarding this.  This story blew me away.

I REALLY WANT AS MANY PEOPLE TO SEE THIS AS POSSIBLE SO PLEASE BOUNCE THIS TO WHOEVER YOU CAN.

Michele Shafer
DML/Lab Administration,
Medical Manager Research & Development,
<address & phone number snipped>
PLEASE forward this to everyone you know.

If you are at all familiar with folklore, you'd know that this particular story has been floating around for years.  It has all the classic elements, from the Friend of a Friend continuity chain to the "official" response by authorities.  You can read an excellent little analysis of the story at your one-stop shop for all your Modern Folkore needs at The AFU and Urban Legends Archive.