Sinner poses as archbishop in Amazon giftsemail scam
THE Archbishop of York had his identity stolen in an Amazon gift card scam which targeted his congregation.
Worshippers and church officials received emails purporting g to be from the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, trell, 61.
They were asked to buy uy gift vouchers, to forward the code but not to call the archbishop, shop, who was “busy in prayer”. Parishioners also received fake
ID THEFT messages supposedly from their vicar. One worshipper believed the cards were “thank you” gifts for church members.
The emails say: “I have a request I need you to handle discreetly. I am currently b busy in a prayer session, no calls so just reply my email.”
Ma Martin Sheppard, of the Diocese of York, said: “The scammer will impersonate the vicar and cont contact the treasurer, secretary, caret caretaker – and there’s a chance
so someone will fall for it.”