Fake Pastor: Scammer asking for $500 in gift cards for cancer patient

In a new scam, a person who claims to represent a church pastor seeks $500 in gift cards to help a person diagnosed with cancer.

Cape Coral Police Department warns the public for a scam preying on recipients generosity. The scammer claims to be a pastor at St. Andrew Catholic Church at 2628 Del Prado Blvd. in Cape Coral.

The person who brought the complaint said a text message read the pastor needs $500 in Google gift cards to help a person who has been diagnosed with cancer, the Cape Coral press release states. The person was informed the pastor was unable to speak because he was with his friend who had cancer.

LINK: Consumer resources from the state

After the victim sent the numbers in five gift cards to the person, the suspect requested for another $1,000. The victim then became suspicious, contacted her church and found out it does not have any involvement, per the press release.

Other members of the church have confirmed having the same message from that number. At least one more person was a victim to the scam.

CCPD warns the public not to send gift card information through a text message, email or over the phone. The case is under investigation, the CCPD press release states, and has been assigned to the Financial Crime Unit.