I have that feeling today that you get when you feel 'disillusioned'. All because of a spam scam letter I received. From Nigeria.

The 'chap' said he was a barrister representing the estate of a couple who died in a plane crash not so long ago....He also said it is by the grace of God that he received Christ as his saviour etc etc. He goes on to say they left a huige estate of some $12.4 million and they'd directed in their will or that the money was to go to do the work of God according to his WILL - to a christian cause/missionand that he was on a christian website where he came across me....I wasn't the only one butthat after prayer - he felt lead by God to bestow upon me the bequest to help me in my ministry. He even quoted scripture - Ezekiel 33:18 and 19 and that he'd had an "encounter with Christ when Pastor T D Jakes was preaching on television concerning Ananias and Saphira in Acts 5:1-11." - that's how he became born again.

NOw - some of you know that something my husband and I would like to do is - not only for our sakes and our children's sakes - have a large tract of land/farm, have a house large enough to house us all - a room for each child etc...but also have room or space to build cabins, whatever - for christians mainly who need time out - or are in crisis. We've in the past had 3 different christians live/stay with us ( pre-children times) when they've needed somewhere to live when their marriages have broken down or they've just needed somewhere to live. A place (that I loftily named The Sanctuary Christian Church and Refuge). Some of you also know that I've been praying for my husband to come back to God.

The other night on the News, there was an article about 2 churchs in our city. One - that my ancestral family has lengthy ties to and is one of the oldest and most beautiful sandstone churches in the state, and a smaller church half a suburb from the other. They each need extensive renovation....the first one - Holy Trinity - needs it the most....several million dollars worth they've estimated to make it safe and renovated etc,. All up the diocese has said it will take at least $6.2 million AU to get them both fixed. Unbeknownst to me hubby offered up a prayer that If he had the money he would give it to the churches - on the proviso that they got rid of their legalisms. He also believes it is extreemely important I go to Jerusalem at the end of the year - it's IMPORTANT!!!! I go.....a bloke from our church is going with a group from Celebrate Messiah I believe and it costs about $5000. I'm a little concerned that hubby wants to gleefully send me off to a war zone - but that's a side issue.

So there - there in a nutshell - above - are our dreams. You can imagine how I felt when I realised that the email I received this morning was a scam. Hubby found it fascinating that the amount mentioned in the email was exactly double that required by our churches.

It took me a while to realise it because I had not long woken up. And now - after passing the info on to the relevant email providers and christian websites where he could have found my email addy - I feel really gloomy. I mean - WHY? Why do people do this???? Using GOD like this to extend their own means. The chap's only asked for my phone number and fax number for the moment. I did respond asking him to name the site he found my details and prove what he was saying was true....I fully expect to receive falsified documents soon.

But it's the same question I ask about those idiot hackers, people who write computer viruses, phishers - and the like. Why? Why bother?? Why don't they just try robbing a bank? Especially since they claim to be from nigeria. Surely security measures over there aren't as tight as they are in western countries. It's just down right mean to play upon someone else's faith like this.

My friend who's a computer geeky type ( I AM allowed to call him that) said it's like - why do people climb mount everest? Why do they go abseiling? Because they can.

I just think I'm even more naive than I thought I was. I can't get inside a criminal mind or understand why ANYONE would want to throw themselves off a bridge tied to a huge rubber band, hop down a mountain attached to ropes....climb a mountain that is freezing cold.

I just wish I understood why people do this....and why did they pick me! Go pick on someone your own size you nasty people.

Has anyone else here received this email? I send the details to Julie Moderator this morning when I finally got over my disappointment enough to do so.

Another example on how the fathers word can be manipulated I guess for selfish manipulative motives, Lying,stealing dont let it disillusion you sister for they may live wealthy now but their wealth is useless when time to unto the kingdom of the father. God regects with HIS WORD ALL SPAM and with his word creates the spam into MAPS OF DECIET which should be recorded and logged! and simply avoided With the Knowledge its Corruptted with Greed the person who send to you is the way it should be

In my wildest fantasies - a nice person with pots and pots of money will come up to me and say - I'd like to give you THIS much money - because I know you'll do the right thing with it. You'll do what you say you will and because YOU deserve it.
As I said - that's my wildest fantasy

And unfortunatley my sister the father not reign in glory or for all within the kingdom is glorious! he is the father alike me and you no different no more no special powers only the ability to hear see feel and know truth which is the only way of life.

Actually - many people wouldn't give away stuff that was given to them.....I certainly don't unless I KNOW that the person who is receiving it will appreciate it. At the same time, there are so many churches that are just falling down and apart, so many churches who can't help but HAVE to live in the world because of government - local, state and federal - strictures that are put upon them - all because there are not the 'bums on seats' anymore. Smaller churches are keeping their heads above water because of the faithful few who do have money to give each week.....and they are literally just keeping their heads up.

Then you have the big mega churches who hold 2 or 3 services a day - the real hip, pop churches that groove ( is that an old fashioned word) and therefore get 3 collections a day - sometimes ( and I've seen it happen in a larger church in my city - people attend an am and a pm service, and put $50.00 in the plate at both services. Then - when they're disappointed at their collection - they send the plate round again...>Greed not faith. Greed.

I wouldn't say the fantasy is from Satan. I'd say it's from me. I'm an ordinary human female - and it's not something I've actually said to people before - except for my husband. We will not - even if we work 60 hours a week for the next 50 years - ever be able to come up with $6.2 million. Never happen. In all my working life - and non-working life - I've earned a total I think of around$260,000. Not much to show for it - and I think I only ever got paid overtime something like 3 times....that's it. That was low income hard workng stuff. I'm Not greedy and I'll refute it with my last breath. I'll admit to selfishness....but people who know me know how selfish I am or am not.

And with so many people out there who are anti- church, anti - christian, setting up a local donation fund......would only have the same people who scrape their pockets every sunday to give out of love giving, or those who want to be seen to be doing the right thing.

Madmikkie I've had the same situation but this time it was a mom and her son. They were from nigeria and they also claimed to have money. They asked for my phone number and fax, etc. Now what I think they're going to do is try to scam you into giving them your credit card number but I'm unsure. Just be careful.

Well they're in for a huuuuuuuge surprise..... I don't have a credit card. Don't trust myself and therefore don't like them. had one before - and got into trouble with it.

Look - I've no doubt it's a scam. I just don't understand why people do these things. Same way I don't understand what goes through my 3 year old's head when he pees in my outside pot plants or why our dog lifts his leg on every bush he passes even though he's been fixed and even when he runs out of wee - he still does it....talk about a poser.

But then - I guess - until i'm in a situation - I won't have an idea. I just think that for all the nice people in the world, there are some out and out moron's out there that really stuff up the human race.

MM these emails are HUGE SCAMS! Please don't fall for them...We have had someone in our church give them 30,000.00 as he is elderly and he fell for the scam...His heart was in the right place, but we have to be careful what we do..
One, we never have to pay to get money from another country...I actually posted some where on this forum and example of this scam...

Be blessed MM! Christ protects you from those bandits! See? He gave you the wit to see through their scam and all it cost you was a bruised awareness to your sweet and child-like innocence.

If you want the money remember the Lord provides what you ask. Just give gratitude and thanks and picture the good things you will do with the money so that it is joy in your heart. He will give you what you want...remember Mark 11:24

MM, I get upset with those things too. There are just so many injustices in this world.
But I know one day that God will stop all these evil things going on. God is protecting you MM.
You knew it was a scam. There are countless of them. Each day I feel more like a stranger here and
want to go home to be with our Saviour. I put my trust in only Him.

I watched a show a few days back called infinity fraud. They said that scams within the church are
on the uprise. Two men which are from Canada joined a church and actually gained peoples
trust to give them thousands of dollars for an investment company. One couple lost all of their
life savings. This is soooooo sad that they prey on anyone they can devour. These people are
wolves in sheeps skin. That is what the people said that were interviewed. These two men took
their money to live high on the hog (pigs that they are) excuse me but that upsets me to no end.

One was actually a pastor of the churh and went along with this. He then moved to a church in the
states and did the same thing. Sorry but for the life of me I can't remember where in the States they
said. They cannot recover the money and it is just so heartbreaking for those families that trusted,
especially their pastor and lost all of their money.

When some members asked about their return investment, they were told that due to terrorism
they cannot get the money to them now ( give me a break) I suppose you could say they are
terrorists too. The devil is out their full force.

Ack!

Come Lord Jesus!
love,
rosie

I wouldn't go so far as to say I have sweet and child like innocence far from it! I just don't understand a criminal mind. I don't get the point of it. And for the Nigerians to see it as a quick - well - easy - way to make money......it's really sad. Maybe I just don't understand people!

I know Rosie. WE had something on a news show recently - a bunch of teenagers were teasing and abusing an elderly (?) chap in a wheel chair. And no-one came to stop them. So they did a set up one - with an olde man and his carer preteding to abuse the old man. Most people just ignored it or stood back and watched. after quite some time - some one did actually approach the 'carer' to find out what was going on and tell him off for abusing his client etc.

HOw embarrassing - number one - that we can stand back and let people do this in a crowded busy street. And secondly - to have it pointed out to you by the MEDIA - who aren't known for their sensitivity - at just how base and wrong society has become.

This is so totally bizarre. I emailed the dude to find out where he got my email address from etc. Follows is the email.

Dear Sir,
As fascinating as your letter is, I hesitate to believe you. Please name the Christian site you got my details from and proof that you actually went there with details that could only come from that site. For example, my screen name and the location I have cited as where I am.
If you can provied me with the relevant information for my verification of you honesty, I will gladly supply you with a nominated bank account which you can deposit the funds into.

Please excuse my harshness, but there are scammers all over the place, and your name comes up quite frequently on such lists.

I know I know - don't encourage them! So I get a reply - or so I thought this morning. Requesting my full name and postal address and fax number. I deleted.

Then this afternoon I get another in a completely different font....coloured etc saying....

Dear Beloved in christ,

Greetings to you in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus christ, How are you doing today I presume all is well with you in Jesus name (Amen).

My dear beloved I received your mail and I understand what you mean but I dont want you to be afraid this is the God's time for you, so this is where I got your information http://users.bigpond.net.au/michelletrevor777 that is where I got your email
Welcome to Michelle & Trevor
WE just would like to say is that WE made this website because a we have a passion to tell as many people about our Lord Jesus, and that there is a God and He is real.

So my dear beloved dont be afraid God is our God and he is marvelous he do things in a miraculous way.

Finally I want you to get back to me so I can tell you the next step.

Yours in Christ

Barrister James Peter




How bizarre - s o I go to the link......and it's NOT US! and there's no way to email these people and tell them that someone is trying to scam THEM! Not me....us...whatever

So I emailed him back and said - it's not us - do what we'd do - donate it to a church.