Scam warning: scam citing St James's Church Piccadilly as a reference
May 2009
A scam purporting to be from a member of our church council and referring recipients back to our website for 'verification' has been brought to our attention. As with many of these, the writer claims to have come in to control of some vast wealth and is offering to share it. Whilst this is, on the face of it, both generous and consistent with the Christian calling, the motives are not honourable. It is a scam designed to part fools and their money.
Please note that this church and its members are not party to any such projects and the aim of the sender is to dupe the unwary
Text of the scam
Dear in Christ,
This is a personal email directed to you and I request that it be treated as such. God is a spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in truth and in spirit. Based on this scripture, it became obvious that I should do the right thing if I must enter into the kingdom of God.
I am, [name of one of our members] of the PCC (Church Council) of St James's Church here in Piccadilly London England.Our Address is St James¡¦s Church 197 Piccadilly London W1J 9LL and you can visit our website (http://www.st-james-piccadilly.org/whoswho.html) for more information about us.I am also the legal adviser to late Mr. Mike & Carol Hall, a God fearing and dedicated couple. They were very wealthy but had no child. They traveled to Patong-Thailand for Christmas holiday but met death on the 26th of December 2004 during the Tsunami disaster (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/bristol/4153821.stm).
As their legal adviser, before their death, the husband Mr. Mike Hall instructed me to write his WILL, because they had no child, he dedicated their wealth to God. They had a lot of landed properties houses Stocks/bonds, etc.
According to the WILL, their assets should be given out to a ministry for the work of God. As their legal adviser, all the documents for the fund that are deposited with the Vault Company are in my care. As a born again Christian, I have been reading my bible and I have to do what is lawful and right in the sight of God by giving out the fund to the chosen ministry for the purpose of God\'s work as instructed by the owners before there death. After my fasting and prayers Today, I asked God to make his choice and direct me to an honest Christian or the chosen ministry that deserves this fund by his Grace. I then came across your address on the Internet. I appeal to you to use the fund wisely for things that will glorify the name of God.
However before I proceed to revealing what the Lord has directed me to do I want you to answer the following question(s).
1. According to John chapter one, Jesus Christ is what?
2. How does a person become a born again Christian?
3. Do you believe in the rapture of the church?
4. If you do believe in the rapture, then when will it come in relation to the tribulation?
5. At what point during the tribulation does the Battle of Armageddon explode?
6. If I would ask you for one Scripture above all others in the New Testament that should identify you as being a brother in Christ, what would it be?
These questions should not offend you. All spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ that have spent time in God's word and understand it.
you could get back to me having visiting the above website to enable us discuss in a more clarifying manner to the best of your understanding? I must say that I\'m very uncomfortable sending this message to you without knowing truly if you would misconstrue the importance and decides to go public. In this regards, I will not hold back to say that the essence of this message is strictly for Charity.
May God bless you as you make up your mind to work for God.
Thanks.
[name]/email address
text of scam ends--