Syracuse, NY -- A door-to-door scam artist has targeted residents on Syracuse's Near West Side, pretending to represent St. Lucy's Church, the church's pastor said. The man, described as black with a significant gap in his front teeth, has taken at least $130 from unsuspecting residents, said Father Jim Mathews. The scammer has two known tactics. For awhile, he claimed...
Syracuse, NY -- A door-to-door scam artist has targeted residents on Syracuse's Near West Side, pretending to represent St. Lucy's Church, the church's pastor said.
The man, described as black with a significant gap in his front teeth, has taken at least $130 from unsuspecting residents, said Father Jim Mathews.
The scammer has two known tactics. For awhile, he claimed that the Catholic church had received a shipment of televisions and computers, but to get one, the resident first needed to give him money, Mathews said.
More recently, the scammer has claimed that he's taking donations to help children with AIDS, Mathews said.
At least six people have called St. Lucy's to check the man's story in the past three weeks. One gave the man $100, another $30.
Mathews said the scammer's story is completely untrue.
Syracuse police have been notified, Mathews said.