Possible Masonic Scam?

[dhouseholder]

My WM found this, it seems like a variation of the Nigerian 419 scam.


*Sent:* Thu 4/15/2010 3:10 PM
*Subject:* MASON 2010 GRANT(URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED).

MASON 2010 GRANT(URGENT RESPONSE REQUIRED).

St. Alban's Lodge of the Freemason society of Thomas's Tavern, Dover Street, Piccadilly under the jurisdiction of the all Seeing Eye,Master Nicholas Brenner has after series of secret deliberations selected you to be a beneficiary of our 2010 foundation laying grants and also an optional opening at the round table of the Freemason society.

These grants are issued every year around the world in accordance with the objective of the Freemasons as stated by Thomas Paine in 1810 which is to ensure the continuous freedom of man and to enhance mans living conditions.

We will also advice that these funds which amount to GBP 950,000.00 be used to better the lot of man through your own initiative and also we will go further to inform that the open slot to become a Freemason is optional,you can decline the offer.

In order to claim your grant, contact the Grand Lodge Office secretary David P. Owen.
Email: owend@w.cn <mailtowend@w.cn>
Abena A Douglas,
PRO St. Alban's Lodge of the Freemason society of Thomas's Tavern, Dover Street, Piccadilly.

 

[Huw]

Yep, that's a scam.

It'll turn out to be an advance-fee fraud, like the old Spanish Prisoner scam or the more modern Nigerian '419' scam. You're selected as a 'beneficiary' of this non-existent grant fund, but if you reply to claim the grant then it'll suddenly turn out that there are various fees you have to pay up front before they 'release the grant' to you - given the background story for this variant of the scam, it'll probably be that you have to 'join' their 'Freemason society' (for a fee, of course) before they'll (supposedly) give you the grant. But of course if you pay their fee, that's the last you'll hear from them.

I've not seen this particular variant before, but this isn't the first time that shameless crooks have tried to abuse the good name of freemasonry as the background story for a scam.

T & F,

Huw

 

[drapetomaniac]

Ahh, the grant is actually sponsored by Nigerian Lodge #419

 

[Bill Lins]

Ahh, the grant is actually sponsored by Nigerian Lodge #419

Now that's funny right there... :lol:

 

[Huw]

Hi Rich.

Ahh, the grant is actually sponsored by Nigerian Lodge #419

LOL! There really is a Nigeria Lodge in UGLE (meeting in Lagos, Nigeria, under one of our overseas Districts). Thank goodness they're actually #3773, not #419!

T & F,

Huw

 

[JTM]

NIGERIAN LODGE #419.

i almost fell out of my chair.