Urgent: Phone Scam Targeting Church of God

We are writing to inform you of an ongoing telephone scam and hoax falsely representing national and international leaders in the Church of God.

As part of the scam, a number of Church of God individuals have received a phone call from someone posing as an international leader (e.g., Rev. Byrum Makokha) and claiming that a Church of God leader (e.g., General Director Jim Lyon) is stranded, or has suffered an injury or illness, and is in immediate need of funds. The targeted individual is asked to send money via transfer services (e.g., Western Union or Moneygram) or deliver it in person to an airport or other location.

These claims are false. If you receive this call, do not send money. Do not provide any personal information to the individual calling. We have been in contact with the local office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and they are aware of the scam. Please take a few minutes to report the call at the FBI’s site www.ic3.gov.

Pastors, please share this information with your congregation.

Please feel free to contact Mary Baker-Boudissa at Church of God Ministries with other questions or concerns: 765-648-2182 or MBakerB@chog.org.