my mother has just been scammed

$18,000 worth. A trip to Europe (mostly Vienna) with a well known Musical Professor, but the Operator has just e-mailed Mum with this. Previous tours went like clockwork, and the below makes no sense:

"Dear Friends,

I am sorry to have to inform you all that my company (me) have had to
file for bankruptcy.
I tried until the very last minute to save the tour in may, but there
is no way I can operate it.
There will be also no more trips at all in the future.

The reason why........... well, is a very long history, but it
started late November last year
in Cairo, when I was kidnapped and had to paid a huge ransom to gain
my freedom again.
It all went downhill from there. I used the excuse of health reasons
to explain to you why
I was absence from the Internet during the month of December, but to
be honest, I was in a
hospital recuperating from the week-long kidnapping and attach I
suffered. I was attacked
and also stabbed all over my body (as I resisted).

I had a terrible month of December from hospital to hospital and was
extremely sick.
Between the cost of the ransom and the hospital care it was tooooo
much for me.

I am presently applying for government help and will sell some assets
which will place me in
the position to pay everybody back by December.

I am extremely depressed and hurt by this situation and I regret this
took place.
Please try to understand that I did all I could to save this, even up
to last week when
I wanted to practically give away a property I have to a potential
buyer. Unfortunately
he changed his mind and I cold not sell my little cottage. If I had,
I would not be writing this email.

I am very sorry. You will be hearing from my lawyer and I ask you to
please file
your complaints with him. For the moment I am trying to place my
little property on the market
and once is gone, I will refund you all.

I am very sorry."

I'd like to swear.