A lot of scams take advantage of people's natural goodwill - and some scams specifically target religious groups, reasoning that any wider concerns they have for people demonstrates not simply stronger goodwill, but also greater gullibility.
Here's an e-mail I just received, in the form of "The Nigerian Scam" (ie, rich African looking to shift millions and pay greatly for help in doing so). This time, it puports to be from a Christian widow, looking to donate millions to any responsive church.
Of course, the catch is almost certainly that "processing changes" arise that the church has to pay to help the person transfer monies - monies that will never be seen, though you can guarantee that the processing charge will be accepted and taken by the original e-mail sender.
Here's the latest in an unpleasant wave of e-mail scams aimed at the unwary and good-natured:
Here's an e-mail I just received, in the form of "The Nigerian Scam" (ie, rich African looking to shift millions and pay greatly for help in doing so). This time, it puports to be from a Christian widow, looking to donate millions to any responsive church.
Of course, the catch is almost certainly that "processing changes" arise that the church has to pay to help the person transfer monies - monies that will never be seen, though you can guarantee that the processing charge will be accepted and taken by the original e-mail sender.
Here's the latest in an unpleasant wave of e-mail scams aimed at the unwary and good-natured:
MRS,MARY.M.WILLIAMS, ATTN, DEAREST IN THE LORD,
I am the above named person from Kuwait. I am
married to Mr. Patrick Williams worked with Kuwait
embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died
in the year 2001. We were married for eleven years
without a child. He died after a brief illness that
lasted for only four days. Before his death we were
both born again Christian.
Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a
child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is
against. When my late husband was alive he deposited
the sum of $5.Million (five Million U.S. Dollars)in
the bank here in Abidjan Presently,the fund is still
with the bank. Recently, my Doctor told me that i have
serious sickness which is cancer problem. The one that
disturbs me most is my stroke sickness.
Having known my condition I decided to donate this
fund to a church or individual that will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct herein. I want a
church that will use this fund for orphanages, widows,
propagating the word of God and to endeavor that the
house of God is maintained. The Bible made us to
understand that“Blessed is the hand that giveth”.
I took this decision because I don’t have any child
that will inherit this money and my husband relatives
are not Christians and I don’t want my husband’s
efforts to be used by unbelievers. I don’t want a
situation where this money will be used in an ungodly
way. This is why I am taking this decision. I am not
afraid of death hence I know where I am going. I know
that I am going to be in the bosom of the Lord.
Exodus 14 VS 14 says that “the lord will fight my case
and I shall hold my peace”. I don’t need any telephone
communication in this regard because of my health
hence the presence of my husband’s relatives around me
always. I don’t want them to know about this
development. With God all things are possible. As soon
as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact
of the bank here in Abidjan.
I want you and the church to always pray for me
because the lord is my shephard. My happiness is that
I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that
Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in spirit and
truth. Please always be prayerful all through your
life.Contact me on the above e_mail address for more
informations, any delay in your reply will give me
room in sourcing another church or individual for this
same purpose. Please assure me that you will act
accordingly as I Stated herein.
Hoping to receive your reply.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Yours in Christ,
Mrs. Mary.m.williams.