Stratford police say that an elderly woman was defrauded of several hundred dollars by a person claiming to be a pastor at a local church.
Police say the woman was contacted through email by a person who claimed they were Rev. Richard Bester of the St Joseph’s Church, at which the woman is a member.
The fraudster requested she donate iTunes gift cards for patients at a hospital.
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The victim complied with the request but sensed there was something fishy going on when a second request was issued.
The church and police were then notified and it was learned that several members of the St Joseph’s Church had also been similarly contacted.
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Police say that a similar incident occurred in January when emails from the church were hacked and information was obtained.
Anyone who has been defrauded is urged to call Stratford police at 519-271-4141 to file a report.