Rabbi in Keene, New Hampshire, reports repeated scams by impostors posing as religious leaders

Impostors posing as religious leaders use lies, deception and theft to take money from the faithful, according to a report by AARP. They pose as pastors, preachers and priests, and also as rabbis, rectors and even bishops. They persuade members to spend hundreds of dollars on gift cards, supposedly for people in need, and then disappear and keep the funds.

The report says the problem is believed to be getting worse. Alleged swindles by people claiming religious authority occur in every religion and in all parts of the country, affecting Christians, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists and Muslims.

Rabbi Daniel Aronson, 56, who leads Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene, New Hampshire, called the conduct sacrilege. Since he joined the congregation, he has been the target of several scams committed by people posing as him, which he estimated at “maybe five or six times,” adding that he had lost count. Each time, the synagogue has sent a warning message to its members. Aronson said one of his congregants allegedly lost about $600 in a gift card scam, but that the victim has not wanted to file a complaint.

According to the report, the deception typically follows a sequence. The wrongdoers first steal the identity of a religious leader or an administrative officer of a place of worship. They then send devotees a text message or email describing a distressing situation, such as a person with cancer who has run out of money, a man who was fired from his job, or a family home flooded after a pipe burst.

Each message includes a pretext explaining why the religious leader cannot come to help at that time. According to the report, the leader’s unavailability is in many cases the justification for asking others to help, which makes the appeal for aid appear urgent and personal. Such schemes exploit people who want to help those in need, a reason the vulnerable require protection (Proverbs 31:8-9).

If the victim follows the instructions and buys the gift cards, the serial and PIN numbers reach the impostor through a telephone call or a digital photo.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)