LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— Just in time for the beginning of the Lenten season, scammers are preying on local parishioners.
A local monsignor says dozens of people have called into his parish saying they have received a concerning text message.
Monsignor John Sempa of Corpus Christi Parish in West Pittston wants people to know he is not the one behind the text messages, asking for solicitations.
Nearly 50 people have called him saying they were sent a text message asking to donate funds to people in need or for one victim that they needed to text him asap.
“Hello Dion, I need a favor, I am meeting with some family members, please text me back as soon as you get this, Pastor John Sempa,” read Dion Fernandes of Hughestown.
That was the text message from an 814 area code that Dion Fernandes received on tuesday morning.
Monsignor John Sempa says he never sent such a thing to Fernandes, or any other of the nearly 50 people who say they have received similar text messages saying Monsignor Sempa was asking for solicitations.
“Gift cards, money, people really wondering if this is true, is Monsignor Sempa is okay, what’s going on,” said Father Michael Drevitch, Corpus Christi Parish.
“I don’t ask for money via text message via email. I don’t do that,” stated Monsignor John Sempa, Corpus Christi Parish.
Monsignor Sempa says the parish’s phone has been ringing off the hook since the scam began.
Fernandes is a member of the Corpus Christi Parish and so are the majority of the other people receiving the scheming text.
One of the victims called police and now the Wyoming Area Regional Police Department is investigating.
“It definitely is a scam, and anyone who knows Monsignor Sempa knows he wouldn’t solicit for any type of donations,” added Chief Michael Turner, Wyoming Area Regional Police Department.
Chief Turner and Father Drevitch believe the scammers are targeting a specific group within the church.
“In my opinion, this has come from our ministry schedule, which is our eucharistic ministers, our alter servers and our lectors. On the last page of that is everyone’s name, email address and phone number,” voiced Drevitch.
“There are very wonderful wonderful people in the parish so you don’t like to see those people taken advantage of or anyone that’s pretty hurtful,” said Sempa.
Fernandes says it’s sad the scammers are hoping to rip off people who share a faith and are committed to serving others.
“That’s kind of like the lowest of lows when they are trying to take advantage of church stuff that’s pretty bad,” stated Fernandes.
Chief Turner says there’s now an investigation.
He warns people who receive a text message like these ones to call your local police department.
Father Drevitch says they will look to make the parish ministry schedule more private moving forward.
