Don’t fall for this scam

Scam, scam, scams. Internet scams are nothing new. You may have received a scam request for $1000 to be sent to some guy in Asia with a promise of a huge reward. These scams are getting more involved and more creative.

From time to time, I’m asked to speak at conferences, seminars, or denomination gatherings. It is not usual for me to receive an email about a speaking opportunity from someone I do not know. This morning, I received a rather usual email: A “invitation” to speak at an event in England.

Great, right? However, there were several red flags:

Poor wording/spelling/grammar I’m not a super self editor, but when you invite someone to speak, the invite is free of errors. They didn’t spell Baptist right. The email is riddled with errors.

Broken website If you click the website, the webpage is “frozen”. If there’s a conference, then there’s a website.

Use of CAPS No one uses capitalization in an email unless they are YELLING.

They want money No speaking conference is going to ask for money upfront. I learned that this scam is common and the next email is about money. This guy fell for it.

Use of Gmail If a large or small conference invites you, it’s not going to come from a Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo account. That’s bogus.

Bottom line, if anyone wants your identity information, passport information, or money – do not give it out! Below is the invite:

First baptish Church <firstbaptistchurchengland@gmail.com> INVITATION FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT

Dear Alan,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, My Name is Pastor
Nelson Albert from the First Baptist Church we are writing to Invite
you to be our guest Speaker at the up Coming First Baptist Church 2014
Anniversary which is taking place here In UK England, We are writing
to invite and confirm your booking to be our Guest Speaker at up
Coming First Baptist Church 2014 Anniversary. Other Ministers Of God
are coming from Different part of the World. The Venue as follows:

DATE: 21th September 2014
VENUE: London SW16 4QQ England,
Website: http://www.amazing-gracechurch.webs.com/
Email: Firstbaptistchurchengland@gmail.com
Expected audience: 300 people Duration of speech per speaker: 1 Hour
Name of Church/Organization
Host: PASTOR NELSON ALBERT
Topic: LEADERSHIP MARRIAGE COMMUNICATION COMEDY
Theme: TIME OF FULFILLMENT
REFERENCE: EVENT BROCHURE
SIGNING OF AUTOGRAPH: ALLOWED
SELLING OF CD’S AND BOOKS: ALLOWED.
TELEPHONE: + 44 704 205 6151

The purpose of these conference is to re-brand the heart,mind,body and
soul of Christians who have gone astray and are diverting their whole
attention into mundane affairs and ensuring that it is possible for
Christians, whether new or of long standing, to deepen their spiritual
lives and gain eternal life. Also bringing a heart of deep compassion
and a strong commitment to the fullness of life that is found only in
the redemptive love of Christ, we are Sorry about our late invitation
it is due to the fact that our Speaker had back out because of her
sudden illness.

We came across your profile on https://alanrudnick.org/ The lord
has direct us to email you for this assignment. Isaiah 48:17 said I am
the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, The lord has
direct us to email you for this assignment. and we say it’s up to
standard and we will be very glad to have such  an outstanding
personality in our for these overwhelming gathering. With your Multi
talented speech more lives will come close to GOD. Arrangement to
welcome you here will be discussed as soon as you honor or invitation.
If you have any more publicity Material, please do not hesitate to
contact us. We are taking care of your traveling and Hotel
Accommodation expenses including our Speaker fees you are bless as you
honor this invitation it is a pleasure writing you.

May God Bless you as you honor this invitation.

In His Services,

Pastor Nelson Albert
First Baptist Church
TELEPHONE: + 44 704 205 6151