Church: Solicitation email using Archbishop Palma’s name is hoax

CEBU CITY — The Catholic Church in Cebu is warning people against a hoax email using the name of Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to solicits funds in behalf of the prelate.

“In the name of the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Cebu, Most Rev. Jose Palma, DD, we inform those concerned that we have received reports of unknown person/s using the name of the Archbishop to solicit funds via email,” said Monsignor Joseph Tan, spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Cebu.

The hoax email reportedly asked around P70,000 from recipients, saying the Archbishop is in need of financial help for an emergency in Ukraine. The fraudster is using the email [email protected].

“We, therefore, inform you that these communications, if received, are false. The Secretariat does not have an e-mail under the account of [email protected],” said Tan in a statement sent to the Inquirer.

Monsignor Tan said the archdiocese does not ask and will never solicit funds from different institutions without the prior knowledge, formal consent, and definite authorization from the archbishop himself.

Tan added that people can report such incidents to their office at the Archbishop’s Palace in Cebu City or call them at (032) 253-3382 / 254-0951

There were no reports yet as to whether the culprit was able to pocket cash from the unauthorized solicitations.