Cedar Rapids police warn area churches of possible scam

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Cedar Rapids Police Department is advising area churches to be vigilant about a man in his mid- to late-30s who has been attending area church services and committing alleged fraudulent practices to obtain money from members of the congregations and church funds.

The individual is believed to have attended several area church services of different religious denominations and asked church members for money to help him pay for luggage fees and airline tickets to fly overseas to the Middle East where his parents were killed in a roadside bombing. police said.

The man usually requests to make an announcement before church services start or when visitors are asked to introduce themselves.

At that time, he tells those in attendance his parents have been killed in Syria and that he needs money to fly home to be with other family members. The story is believed to be false and the man is believed to have been engaged in similar fraud throughout the United States, police said.

The act of acquiring money by deception is considered theft, according to police, who are encouraging anyone that is approached by a subject requesting money or presenting a suspicious deal to contact authorities.

If any church or other religious institution is believed to have been the victim of this alleged scam, call Cedar Rapids police investigator Justin DeMoss at (319) 286-5485.