Fake Joyce Meyer Facebook Account Solicits Hundreds of Dollars for African Orphanages
A fake Facebook claiming to be evangelist Joyce Meyer has been soliciting donations toward a "ministry" by scamming Christians looking to support the church and an orphanage. Social media user Italia Bernhardt contacted the Christian Post to expose the scammer, which is in no way actually affiliated with Meyer.
Bernhardt said she would frequently post quotes from Meyer on her Facebook page to encourage others and help her get through the day. She was then baited by a fake account of the minister who was looking to put the ruse on unsuspecting believers.
"Dear beloved sister, God bless you for your concern, what do you think you can do to help this Orphans, do you wish to make a donation to the Orphans in Africa that my ministry is supporting or rather sponsoring a child in the Orphanage home?" the account sent her in a private message.
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Bernhardt said she was unable to donate at the time, but would when she can.
"God bless you sister, As you apply the principles of God's supernatural economy (seed-time and harvest, regardless of the circumstances around you), you can rise above all the challenges that the world will face during the coming weeks and months!" the account, spelling the minister's name incorrectly as "Joyce Mayer," said.
"As you step out in faith during this season of answered prayer, remember that giving to God keeps you focused on His work and clarifies your priorities and heart's desire," the fake account continued. "Givers receive ideas from heaven, and God wants to prosper those ideas. Psalm 112:2-3 speaks of the righteous giver: 'The generation of the upright shall be blessed. Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.'"
After then explaining about Christ Foundation Orphanage Home, which is a real charity in Nigeria, and talking some about the burn victim children there, the Facebook scammers asked again for a donation.
"Tell the Evangelist that I sent you to them to make a donation and they should let you know how to do that. Get back to me when you have done that so i can pray with you. God Bless You too Joyce!" read the next message.
It was then that things became especially weird. The "Joyce Mayer" impostor began pressing Bernhardt for money, and when she declined and explained a family situation, the message became about prayer.
"I shall continue to pray for you and God has directed me to go on a two days fasting for your sake. Get back to me in three days. I believe mightily in my soul that God will reveal something to me for you and your family. Remember all i have told you and pray at all times," the message said.
The next message occurred three days later with a "prophetic word" that perhaps has been used on others.
"Sister Italia, the moment has come. i have seeked the face of the lord concerning you and God has indeed proved himself worthy of his name. Italia what is your relationship with this numbers 5,7 and 8. Get back to me soon," the message said.
The con artist who runs the page then explained her interpretation of the numbers and added them together to come up with a figure for donation.
"Get back to me as soon as you are done with this. you can add up the numbers at random, 578, 758 or 875 which ever will be led by your spirit. God bless you as you do so. Amen," the scammer said.
The person on the other end then said that if this message from the Lord was not carried out, healing would not come to Bernhardt's family.
"Are you ready to do that which the lord laid in my heart concerning you. So sow that seed to the motherless home," the message read.
Luckily for Bernhardt, she saw into a possible scam early on and baited them back by gaining more information. The Joyce Meyer site has since been quiet. The page has some of its information private, such as friends and pictures.
See the page here.
Have you been scammed by this page or another one like it? Please share any experiences so readers can spread the word about scamming "ministries."
