Easter Blessing Scam Strikes in Rome

A woman donates 100 euros to a priest for the Easter blessing of her home, but it turns out she gave the money to someone who was not actually holding the position he claimed. This scam occurred in Monteverde, a central neighborhood of Rome. A lady realized the deception, but only when the actual parish priest showed up. At that point, she understood that the donation had been made to a wrongdoer. 'Hello, I am the priest for the Easter blessing,' when Maria (name changed) hears the intercom, she does not hesitate to respond. She is an elderly lady and, as indicated on the sign posted on the door of her building, the visit is supposed to take place that very day. She checks through the intercom camera and sees a man in a cassock. She does not go to church very often. However, her parents have always had their house blessed since she was small. 'It's a tradition. Even if I'm not very interested in it, I carry it on.' She lives alone at home. 'I had not checked when the priest was supposed to come, but I know this is Easter week.' Those who act criminally, however, are well aware of it. So much so that they show up the same day marked on the sign, but just a few hours earlier. 'I was lucky, he could have also robbed me in the house,' says Maria. In the end, the 'fake' priest pocketed 100 euros from the lady. Not a small amount, especially since not everyone donates the same sum. But if he managed to deceive other people, then the loot is indeed substantial.