I received the following email – and I have received similar ones in the past. This is a scam. Clearly this one is not that sophisticated, the language is typically scammy, but in the past I have received others from supposed Church Groups looking for speakers that are very convincing. They all follow a similar theme.
Some have had websites for their events (which of course don’t exist). If you contact them they will communicate, do skype calls, send you paperwork etc.
Basically it all comes down to new speakers getting caught up in the excitement of a highly paid speaking job, from a Church group (which appears reputable) and at the last minute there are issues with payment, requiring you to transfer some funds (due to some Church policy), which will of course be refunded when you are arrive in the UK.
Anyway, the moral to the story – if it looks too good to be true it probably is. Scams like this catch speakers out all the time Daniel told me about a Russian one which is scary and for those of you who came to my Business of Being a Professional Speaker workshop – I told you about my African experience where I was almost kidnapped.
Be careful folks.
Cheers,
Andrew
From: First baptish Church <firstbaptistchurchengland@gmail.com>
Date: 22 September 2014 8:14:30 pm AEST
To: info@andrewgriffiths.com.au
Subject: INVITATION FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
INVITATION FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT
Dear Andrew,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, My Name is Rev Todd
Jason from the First Baptist Church we are writing to Invite you to be
our guest Speaker at the up Coming First Baptist Church 2015
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 2015 Anniversary. Other Ministers Of God
are coming from Different part of the World. The Venue as follows:
DATE: 10th Match 2015
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: REV TODD JASON
Topic: LEADERSHIP MARRIAGE COMMUNICATION COMEDY
Theme: TIME OF FULFILLMENT
REFERENCE: EVENT BROCHURE
SIGNING OF AUTOGRAPH: ALLOWED
SELLING OF CD’S AND BOOKS: ALLOWED.
TELEPHONE: + 44-795-276-3257
We came across your profile on http://www.andrewgriffiths.com.au/ The
lord has direct us to email you for this assignment. Isaiah 48:17 said
I am them 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,
Rev Todd Jason
First Baptist Church
TELEPHONE: + 44-795-276-3257
Thank you so much. I just received this exact email. I felt that it was a scam but wanted to verify. Thanks again for posting this.
Thanks Andrew for posting this. I just got this exact email from them today. I hope others aren’t fooled.
I too received this email and others like it in the past.
Beware and Be Warned!!!!
It’s a Scam!
they require you send some up front monies so secure your work permit
then they disappear!
God Bless!
Thanks for sharing your experience. We received the same email and your posting popped up from a Google search.