Italian priest in Castel San Pietro exposes two phone scams targeting parish funds

A priest in Castel San Pietro, Italy, thwarted two separate phone scams targeting him within 20 days, reporting both incidents to police. Don Gabriele of Santa Maria Maggiore church avoided falling for the elaborate schemes. In the latest attempt, a caller posing as a finance police marshal claimed suspicious activity on the parish account and asked if he checked his finances. The priest grew suspicious, said he only visits the bank in person, and hung up to file a report. An earlier call involved a fake urgent donation requiring upfront transfers, but the priest noticed town offices would be closed. He shared his story to warn others, as such scams often target the elderly and vulnerable.