Australian congregations are being warned about scammers who impersonate church ministers and use small changes in email addresses to exploit trusted relationships.
The National Anti-Scam Centre told ABC News that the scheme has operated since 2021 and has targeted churches in every state and territory. A common approach is to request a church directory, then contact members while pretending to be a minister and ask them to buy gift cards.
Other reported variations include false invoices, fake council-rate notices and offers to donate a piano if the church pays supposed shipping costs. Requests can appear urgent or charitable to discourage independent checking.
Recipients should confirm unusual requests using a known phone number or an existing contact channel, not the details supplied in the suspicious message. Gift-card numbers, passwords, personal directories and payments should never be sent before verification.
Sources: ABC News; Scamwatch protection guidance.
Image disclosure: The featured image is an AI-generated conceptual editorial illustration. It does not show a real church, minister, email, directory or gift card brand.
