Warning: Speak Scam on the loose!

Wanted to pass out a warning to all speakers, sales trainers and coaches. Seems as if this scam is being proposed to women only right now but who knows guys…you maybe next. Trouble with this one is it really does seem legit. The websites are pretty good and the organization and Pastor will take your calls. To be fair, I don;t really think he is a Pastor, just pretending to be one. The email, you will receive is as follows:

*****************************

Dear Colleen Francis,
    My Name is Pastor William Smith from the London Youth Community Here in London UK. We want you to be our guest speaker at this Year LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE which will take place here in UK.We are writing to invite and confirm your booking to be our Speaker at these year LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE.

The Venue as follows:
VENUE: Holy Apostles Church Hall,
47 Cumberland Street,
Pimlico London, SW1V 4LY
Website.www.londonyc.org
Email: info@londonyc.org or w.smith@londonyc.org Expected audience: 2500 people Duration of speech per speaker: 1 Hour Name of Church/Organization: LONDON YOUTH COMMUNITY Tel Phone: + 44 7077-087-949
Topic: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP
Date:19th of August 2009-23rd of August 2009 Website:www.londonyc.org

We came across your profile on
http:canadianspeakers.org and we say it’s up to standard and we will be very glad to have such an outstanding personality in our mist for these overwhelming gathering. With your multi talented speech more lives will come close to GOD, Sorry about our late invitation it is due to the fact that our Speaker had back out because of her sudden illness.

Arrangements to welcome you here will be discussed as soon as you honor our invitation. If you have any more publicity material, please do not hesitate to contact me. A formal Letter of invitation would be sent to you as soon as you honor our invitation. We are taking care of your traveling and Hotel Accommodation expenses including your Speaker fees.

Stay Blessed
Williams Smith
w.smith@londonyc.org
LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE

**************************************

Just delete it. If you do call they will ask for your credit card number to secure a UK visa (which if you are Canadian you don’t need for this type of work) and travel arrangements. They will send you a contract if you ask for one. It is signed, but its not on any letter head. At least 10 speakers I know in Canada have all received this and we have done a bunch of research and work sussing it out…so you don’t have to. Best to trust me, delete it an move on.

Time to put my energy to good use now….(but sad I don’t get to go to the UK)

Colleen

175 responses to “Warning: Speak Scam on the loose!”

  1. Hi Colleen,

    I received this same email message. I invested a whack of time researching this London Youth Conference before I came across your message.

    So it comes to guys too.

    Although I’d love to go speak in London, I’m glad you’ve put out your message and saved a bunch of us some hassles.

    Thanks. Have a great summer!

    Dan Ohler
    Thinkin Outside The Barn Ltd.
    780-785-9479
    http://www.ThinkinOutsideTheBarn.com

  2. Hi Colleen,

    I received the letter today too. It really did seem legitimate but my gut said something wasn’t right. I talked with your assistant today and she told me about the scam.

    Thanks for posting the warning.

    Warm regards,
    Denise Marek

  3. Got the pitch also today. Trying to research this, but hitting dead ends.
    Thanks or the info. Got linked to the email from the British Consolate after I called them
    Cheers, Larry

  4. Hi Colleen,
    I, too, received a similar email (from Pastor Mark Graham, different location in London, different topic, etc.) and did a bunch of research before coming across your message.

    I found that the email had grammar errors and that raised my “I wonder if it’s legit” antenna right away. I’d love to speak in England, but that will have to wait for another time.

    Thanks for putting out the word!

    Ida Shessel
    Let Us Facilitate
    http://www.letusfacilitate.com

  5. Hi Colleen,

    Here’s the copy from the second letter – just in case people miss your blogpost and go the next step. What sparked my curiosity, as well as the typos Ida mentioned, is the email address to the British High Commission for visa info. Canadians do not require a visa for business/visits in the UK less than 6 months – plus, it’s the Home Office that handles these matters. And one more thing – the payments are made directly into one’s bank account – sounds so reminiscent of other scams.

    Thanks for your posting!

    *************************************

    Thanks for indicating your interest to be our Guest Speaker at this year LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE. We are very excited and happy to have such a wonderful personality in our mist. Sorry for contacting you late . We the event organizing committee had a meeting earlier today to deliberate on getting you available here within a short period of time. We believe we serve the lord of possibilities.Arrangements are stated below.

    We have agreed to buy you flight ticket and to pay your Hotel accommodation expenses . Also your Speaking fee is amounted to 9,000Dollars.$5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposit is to be paid as soon as you procure all relevant travel documents so as to avoid any dissapointment.You are informed to get accross your Work Permit to us so your deposit can be approved according to our mandated rules and regulation.

    You are advised by the Event Organizing committee to immediately contact the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION to procure your UK Work Permit as soon as possible

    This will enable us to proceed with all arrangements to welcome you here in London. Contact the British High Commission officer information below.

    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

    Name…Dr Darren David

    Email… britishhighcom@britishhighc.info or darrend@britishhighc.info

    Please confirm to us the closest Airport to your location so we can start making arrangements to buy your flight tickets .Understand that you need to expedite action because of the short notice. Feel free to ask any question

    We have attached a formal Letter of Invitation and contract agreement.Please reconfirm to us your office Address for our perusal and further action.Note you are meant to arrive a day before the commencement of the event.

    Please return a signed copy of the contract agreeement for proper documentation.You can also reach me on my mobile number for more update
    Tel:+4470-240-698-26

    We await your earliest response
    Pastor Mark Graham Smith
    LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE
    *******************************************
    I’d be happy to share the letter of agreement and formal letter of invitation too.

  6. I also received this. They said they got my contact info from the CAPS website and speaker profile. Someone should put an alert out there about this. Thanks for your research Colleen.
    Judy Arnall

  7. Anytime I get some type of email like this involving money I quickly research. It bothered me because I talked to the guy over the phone and told him I was a British citizen and he still continued to tell me that I needed a Work Visa and a Letter of Sponsorship (I’m a citizen of US and UK). Then, all of the titles and office names were in all caps, so it didn’t look official. When in doubt, forward your concerns to the embassy.

  8. Hi Colleen,

    I saw this on a speaker list on Linkedin.

    I think I received something similar a while back but from Nigeria. Assuming it to be legit and after checking with a friend who actually does events there, I responded with my terms and a pretty high fee (for me).

    That was the last I heard. Can’t imagine why:-)

    I did learn that, in Nigeria at least, IF the person is serious, they have budgets and can and will pay real fees, travel, hotel, driver, etc.
    Jim

  9. Thank you Colleen,

    I received this same email and to tell you the truth…I almost got caught. I did go to Western Union and sent the money for the “UK Work Permit” but afterwards, went back to my computer and did some more investigating. Luckily I found this blog, went back to Western Union and was able to cancel the transaction. I was also then able to report them as a fraud to Western Union and they put a block on their account. Thanks again!

    Dawn

  10. Dawn…I am so glad you were able to stop the transfer. Never send money in advance to secure a speakers gig. This is is not a normal way to conduct busines.

  11. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, I RECEIVED THIS LETTER ON 7/25/09 AND I’M GLAD I TOOK THE TIME TO RESEARCH THIS BEFORE I CANCELLED MY PLANS. (SEE LETTER BELOW) GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THE COUNTERFEIT COMES BEFORE THE REAL THING!

    Dear Evangelist Aleecha Pitts,

    My Name is Pastor Williams Smith from the London Youth Christian Community
    Here in London UK. We want you to be our guest speaker at this Year
    LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE which will take place here in UK.We are
    writing to invite and confirm your booking to be our Speaker at these
    year LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE.

    The Venue as follows:
    Holy Apostles Church Hall,
    47 Cumberland Street,
    Pimlico London, SW1V 4LY
    Website.www.londonyc.org(currently updating )
    Expected audience: 2500 people
    Duration of speech per speaker: 1 Hour
    Name of Church/Organization: LONDON YOUTH CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

    EMAIL:w.smith@londonyc.org
    Tel Phone: + 44 7024069826
    Topic: LOVE AND RELATIONSHIP
    Date:19th of August 2009-23rd of August 2009

    We came across your profile on http://www.womennpower.com and we say
    it’s up to standard and we will be very glad to have such
    an outstanding personality in our mist for these overwhelming
    gathering. With your multi talented speech more lives will come close
    to GOD, Sorry about our late invitation it is due to the fact that our
    Speaker had back out because of her sudden illness.

    Arrangements to welcome you here will be discussed as soon as you
    honor our invitation. If you have any more publicity material, please
    do not hesitate to contact me. A formal Letter of invitation and
    Contract Agreement would be sent to you as soon as you honor our
    invitation. We are taking care of your traveling and Hotel
    Accommodation expenses including your Speaking fee.

    Stay Blessed
    Pastor Williams Smith
    http://www.londonyc.org
    LONDON YOUTH CONFERENCE

  12. I received one of these letters as well. Anytime I’m told that I have to hurry up and make a decision my antenna goes up. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is! Most presenters will haggle about the price and not offer you $9K without some discussion first. If anyone has any questions they can reach me at http://www.womensempowermentseminars.com.

    The invitation read as follows:

    Dear Joyce Farrar-Rosemon ,

    Thanks for indicating your interest to be our Guest Speaker at
    this year London Barclays Christian Women’s Conference . We are very
    excited and happy to
    have such a wonderful personality in our mist.The event organizing
    committee had a meeting earlier
    today to deliberate on getting you available here. We believe we serve the
    lord of
    possibilities.Arrangements are stated below.

    We have agreed to buy your flight ticket and to pay
    your Hotel accommodation expenses . Also your Speaking fee is amounted
    to 9,000Dollars.$5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposit is to be paid as
    soon as you procure all relevant travel documents so as to avoid any
    dissapointment.You are informed to get accross your Work Permit to us
    so your deposit can be approved according to our mandated rules and
    regulation.

    You are advised by the Event Organizing committee to immediately
    contact the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION to procure your UK Work Permit as
    soon as possible

    This will enable us to proceed with all arrangements to welcome you
    here in London. Contact the British High Commission officer
    information below.

    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

    Name…Dr Darren David

    Email…darrend@britishhighc.info OR britishhighcom@britishhighc.info

    Please confirm to us the closest Airport to your location so we can
    start making arrangements to buy your flight tickets .Understand that
    you need to expedite action because of the short notice. Feel free to
    ask any question

    We have attached a formal Letter of Invitation and contract
    agreement.Please reconfirm to us your office Address for our perusal
    and further action.Note you are meant to arrive a day before the
    commencement of the event.

    Please return a signed copy of the contract agreeement for proper
    documentation.

    We await your earliest response

    Be Blessed
    Pastor Williams Smith and Rev Helen Smith
    Barclays International Miracles Center
    Tel Phone: + 44 7024069826

  13. Dear Colleen

    Thank you so much for taking the time to post this information. I received a similiar email today and within very little time I located your post.
    As much as I would love to be invited to speak in the U.K. I know that if it sounds to good to be true, it usually is!
    Thank you for sharing this information.

    Marsha

  14. Thanks so much for this information. After receiving the email where they found my name on blackspeakers.com I asked my PR team to check it out. It only took me a second to google it and get this website. Very helpful. Thanks again, this has saved us a great deal of research. I was a bit suspicious…

  15. Colleen,
    I received this letter as well. I admit, I got excited! London is definitely on my vision board (LOL). I immediately started doing research so I am so thankful that you put this out here, Colleen. When I got it, I thought I was being punk’d…LOL. Thank you so much.

    Be Incredible,
    Darnyelle
    Defining & Unleashing the Incredible in You
    http://www.darnyelle.com

    Dear Darnyelle A. Jervey ,

    Thanks for indicating your interest to be our Guest Speaker at
    this year London Barclays Christian Women’s Conference . We are very
    excited and happy to have such a wonderful personality in our mist.The
    event organizing committee had a meeting earlier today to deliberate on
    getting you
    available here. We believe we serve the lord of possibilities.You have a
    space to sell your products.Arrangements are stated below.

    We have agreed to buy your flight ticket and to pay
    your Hotel accommodation expenses . Also your Speaking fee is amounted
    to 9,000Dollars.$5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposit is to be paid as
    soon as you procure all relevant travel documents so as to avoid any
    dissapointment.You are informed to get accross your Work Permit to us
    so your deposit can be approved according to our mandated rules and
    regulation.

    You are advised by the Event Organizing committee to immediately
    contact the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION to procure your UK Work Permit as
    soon as possible

    This will enable us to proceed with all arrangements to welcome you
    here in London. Contact the British High Commission officer
    information below.

    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

    Name…Dr Darren David

    Email…darrend@britishhighc.info OR britishhighcom@britishhighc.info

    Please confirm to us the closest Airport to your location so we can
    start making arrangements to buy your flight tickets .Understand that
    you need to expedite action because of the short notice. Feel free to
    ask any question

    We have attached a formal Letter of Invitation and contract
    agreement.Please reconfirm to us your office Address for our perusal
    and further action.Note you are meant to arrive a day before the
    commencement of the event.

    Please return a signed copy of the contract agreeement for proper
    documentation.

    We await your earliest response

    Be Blessed
    Pastor Williams Smith and Rev Helen Smith
    Barclays International Miracles Center
    Tel Phone: + 44 7024069826

  16. I am so happy after relentless researching!
    Check out the letter below. Very similiar to what you explained for sure… now they are trying to engage artists.
    Jerks.
    THANKS for getting the word out.
    Jen

    Dear Jennifer Ruth,

    Thanks for indicating your interest to be our sculptor . We are
    very excited and happy to have such a wonderful personality in our
    mist. Sorry for contacting you late. We the event organizing committee
    had a meeting earlier today to deliberate on getting you available
    here within a short period of time. We believe we serve the lord of
    possibilities. Arrangements are stated below.

    Contact Person: Mr Brew Anderson Smith

    Name of Organization: LONDON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

    Phone Number: Tel: +447024024745

    Venue: Holy Apostles Church Hall,
    47 Cumberland Street,
    Pamlico London, SW1V 4LY

    Website: http://www.londonyouthconference.com (updating)

    here are some questions we need to know too.

    1) We need to know the kind of design you intend to use?
    2)How many days it will take to complete the task?
    3)Will you be coming with your materials or are we the one providing them?
    4)Will you be coming with anyone else e.g
    accomplise,armourbearer,wives or colleague in partnership?
    5) The particular time and exact date you intend to make your trip so
    as to meet our sculpture unveiling date deadline or when you think it
    will be ready?
    6) What are the likely provisions you intend to be made ready for you
    to complete the sculpture perfectly?
    7) We want you to make the sculpture here in the united kingdom will
    that be possible?

    We have agreed to buy your flight ticket and to pay your Hotel
    accommodation expenses. Also your fee is amounted to
    9,000Dollars.$5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) deposit is to be paid as
    soon as you procure all relevant travel documents so as to avoid any
    disappointment .You are informed to get across your Work Permit to us
    so your deposit can be approved according to our mandated rules and
    regulation.

    You are advised by the Event Organizing committee to immediately
    contact the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION to procure your UK Work Permit as
    soon as possible

    This will enable us to proceed with all arrangements to welcome you
    here in London. Contact the British High Commission officer
    information below.

    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

    Name…Dr Edward Alex

    Email…edwardalex77@britpost.com OR britishhighcomoffice@gmail.com

    Please confirm to us the closest Airport to your location so we can
    start making arrangements to buy your flight tickets .Understand that
    you need to expedite action because of the short notice. Feel free to
    ask any question

    We have attached a formal Letter of Invitation and contract agreement
    and the picture of our beloved icon Gareth Cummingham. Please
    reconfirm to us your office Address for our perusal and further
    action. Note you are meant to arrive a day before the commencement of
    the event.

    Please return a signed copy of the contract agreement for proper documentation.

    We await your earliest response
    Mr Brew Anderson Smith
    LONDON CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

    ——————————————————————————–

  17. Thank you for posting this.
    Another scam version was sent to an artist in our group. I was able to provide the information you posted here after searching Smith’s name and the group he said he represented.
    It’s great we have such online resources and can help one another this way almost immediately.
    All the best,
    Renee Phillips
    Manhattan Arts International

  18. Thanks Colleen!
    This post on google was very helpfu! I rec’d the email today plump with grammaticall errors and more! Here’s a hint for all experts and speakers–if you rec’ a request for your services that requires you to pay anything-beyond attention—its a RED FLAG!
    Sincerely,
    Dr. Ro
    http://www.everythingro.com
    You Livin’ the Good Life!

  19. Thanks Colleen!
    This post on google was very helpfu! I rec’d the email today plump with grammaticall errors and more! Here’s a hint for all experts and speakers–if you rec’ a request for your services that requires you to pay anything-beyond attention—its a RED FLAG!
    Sincerely,
    Dr. Ro
    http://www.everythingro.com
    You Livin’ the Good Life!

  20. hi there.

    i simply googled the phone number (which didn’t match the one on the site they linked to)–and your site came up…had you not posted it–it would have taken me longer to disprove. i believed it to be a scam from the start, but was fascinated with how they found me–(this was a question they would not answer–as well as a few more)…

    i simply told them i am very generous and believe in their cause–no need to pay me–on top of that, i’ll be there 3 weeks early–not sure on the day yet–but i have no doubt that you will know who i am the second you see me. take care and i can’t wait to meet you!

    like they always say, you can only get conned if you’re looking for a shortcut…always take your time…thanks for posting your info and thanks for letting me share…sperling

    here’s a paste of what i received:

    >> MAY THE PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU.
    >>
    >>
    >> I am REV. FR Thompson Smith from the Catholic
    Truth
    >> Society .We want
    >> you to be our guest speaker in this year
    EVANGELIUM
    >> CONFERENCE
    >> 2009,which will take place here in UNITED
    KINGDOM.We
    >> went
    >> through your
    >> remarkable profile on
    >> http://www.furiouslove.com/id73.html and we
    >> must say its up to standard and we will be
    very esctatic
    >> to have such
    >> connessiur charisma and outstanding
    personality in our
    >> mist for these
    >> wonderful gathering.We want to officially
    inform you
    >> that
    >> the date of
    >> the event which was previously 7th-9th of
    AUGUST has
    >> been
    >> changed for
    >> 25th-27th of September 2009 due to sudden
    illness of one
    >> of our
    >> speaker. We are currently updating our
    website for more
    >> and current
    >> information.Please do bear with us.
    >>
    >>
    >> ADDRESS:
    >> The Oratory School
    >> Woodcote Reading
    >> Berkshire RG8 0PJ
    >>
    >> TOPIC: HONESTY AND SELF DISCIPLINE
    >>
    >> DURATION OF SPEECH:1 HOUR
    >>
    >> AUDIENCE:2500
    >>
    >> AGE LIMIT:18/35
    >>
    >> TELEPHONE:(+44 702 402 4745)
    >>
    >> FAX: (07526 908741)
    >>
    >> WEBSITE:evangelium.co.uk (currently updating)
    >>
    >> We want you to confirm your booking,so we
    can commence
    >> on
    >> sending you
    >> a formal letter of invitation and contract
    agreement,We
    >> will be
    >> responsible for your hotel
    accomodation,flight ticket
    >> and
    >> feeding
    >> including speaking fee.Feel free to call or
    email me or
    >> write us
    >> directly (Evangelium, PO Box 28, Tenby SA69
    9ZB) for
    >> more
    >> update.
    >>
    >> We strongly believe we serve the lord of
    possibilities
    >> and
    >> we hope
    >> with your multi talented speech more life
    will come
    >> close
    >> to our LORD.
    >>
    >> REV.FR Thompson Smith
    >> EVANGELIUM CONFERENCE 2009
    >> Sharing the riches of our Catholic Faith
    >>
    >
    >
    AND THEN THE FOLLOW UP:

    Dear sperling

    Thanks for indicating your interest to be our
    Guest Speaker at
    this year EVANGELIUM CONFERENCE 2009. We are
    very excited and happy to
    have such a wonderful personality in our mist.
    Sorry for contacting
    you late . We the event organizing committee had
    a meeting earlier
    today to deliberate on getting you available
    here within a short
    period of time. We believe we serve the lord of
    possibilities.Arrangements are stated below.We
    are currently updating
    our website.

    We have agreed to buy your flight ticket and to
    pay your Hotel
    accommodation expenses . Also your Speaking fee
    is amounted to
    9,000Dollars.$5000 (FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS)
    deposit is to be paid as
    soon as you procure all relevant travel
    documents so as to avoid any
    dissapointment.You are informed to get accross
    your Work Permit to us
    so your deposit can be approved according to our
    mandated rules and
    regulation.

    You are advised by the Event Organizing
    committee to immediately
    contact the BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION to procure
    your UK Work Permit as
    soon as possible

    This will enable us to proceed with all
    arrangements to welcome you
    here in London. Contact the British High
    Commission officer
    information below.

    BRITISH HIGH COMMISSION

    Name…Dr Davies Brooklyn

    Email…davebrooklynbhcofficial@gmail.com

    Please confirm to us the closest Airport to your
    location so we can
    start making arrangements to buy your flight
    tickets .Understand that
    you need to expedite action because of the short
    notice. Feel free to
    ask any question

    We have attached a formal Letter of Invitation
    and contract
    agreement.Please reconfirm to us your office
    Address for our perusal
    and further action.Note you are meant to arrive
    a day before the
    commencement of the event.

    Please return a signed copy of the contract
    agreeement for proper documentation.

    We await your earliest response
    REV. FR. THOMPSON SMITH
    EVANGELIUM CONFERENCE 2009
    +447024024745
    Sharing the riches of our Catholic Faith

Comments are closed.