Bishop impostor targets parishes in scam

A scam by someone posing as a Catholic prelate has robbed some parishes and parishioners in Manila, an archbishop’s secretary said.

Fr. Regie Malicdem, chancellor of the Manila archdiocese, asked his fellow priests to tell the faithful about the impostor and report to authorities if they see him introducing himself as a bishop.

The priest said the impostor would call up parish offices, then claim that he has an event and would ask that he be referred to a caterer.

He said the man would also ask priests, parish staff or the caterer for at least P5,000 worth of cellphone load.

“Please warn your parish staff about this scheme. He is very insistent and demanding. Many parishes have already been victimized,” Malicdem said.

“The caterers are also the usual victims of the scam. I know at least three caterers that were victimized,” he said.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is already looking into the matter at the request of the archdiocese.