From Pine View Farm

Elmers 2

As in Gantry.

Apparently scams targetting believers are on the rise. The AP reports that, from 1998 to 2001, believers were victimized to the tune of $2,000,000,000.

Investigators say all denominations are at risk, but the most susceptible communities are ones where members are deeply engaged in church activities, such as service programs and small group prayer, giving con artists plenty of chance to ingratiate themselves with congregants.

Often, perpetrators are so successful building an image as good Christians that churchgoers won’t cooperate with law enforcement authorities even after the crime is revealed.

“Money has a way of blinding objectivity, even for we who are believers,” Minkow says.

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2 comments

  1. Opie

    August 14, 2006 at 9:23 pm

    Years ago, I knew this family who wanted to be missionaries overseas. They came across someone who promised he’d make all the arrangements for them if only they would raise the money themselves. They saved money for something like two years, and when they gave it to him, he disappeared.

     
  2. Frank

    August 15, 2006 at 12:44 am

    I’m behind with catching up, but, given that there are a lot of low-life scum out there, the ones who would take advantage of someone’s faith do seem to be the lowliest.