Scammers pretending to be church bishop

Scammers are still pretending to be local priests as they try to con parishioners into buying iTunes gift cards.

The scammers contact people and claim to be a representative of their church.

They ask the parishioner to buy $400 worth of iTunes cards in order to provide support for another parishioner battling illness.

Victims are asked to take a photo of the card and its number code and email it to the “priest.” In some cases, police say, the emailer claims to be the local bishop. One local person, who received an email request, contacted police and the Peterborough diocese. So far, police say, nobody has fallen victim to the scam. Anyone receiving an email is asked to contact the bishop’s office at ab@peterboroughdiocese.org or 705-745-5123 and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

Anyone who’s fallen victim to the scam and lost money should call police at 705-876-1122 or report it online at www.peterboroughpolice.com/report/a-crime/