The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development

TO: HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL GEORGE PELL,

ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS

FROM: JACK DE GROOT

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

COPY: DIOCESAN BUSINESS MANAGERS DATE: 23 FEBRUARY 2010

RE: FRAUDULENT CALLS FROM THE PHILIPPINES

Your Eminence, Archbishops and Bishops

We have received information that an individual or team of individuals is targeting Caritas supporters,

parishes and the clergy to obtain credit card information or for donations. There are various claims being

made that the man has a connection to Caritas Australia and that they are soliciting information from credit

card holders about their account on behalf of Caritas.

On Sunday 14th February a mystery figure called at least three Diocesan Directors (Lismore, Townsville

and Sandhurst) stating that he is planning to come to their diocese. It seems as though he is requesting

support and is claiming that he has the approval of Jack de Groot. I understand that he was then using the

name “Fr Joe”.

Since then the Diocese of Wagga Wagga has received information that this person and a female

accomplice have been calling parishes in the Wagga Wagga Diocese requesting credit card details. The

parishes called have been Coolamon, Culcairn and Finley. He has given various stories for money and

then the female takes the credit card details and processes them through. It appears that when questioned

further he hangs up.

The man is using various names. Initially Fr Joe and now Fr Francis Kabiru. His bishop is Paul Sieba. His

phone no. is 0011 6392 6838 2668.

This man is not known to me nor to Caritas Australia, nor are we sponsoring anyone to visit Australia by

such a name at this time from the Philippines. Caritas Australia does not call supporters or parishes for

donations.

The matter has been reported to the police.

You may wish to notify your Parishes and Diocesan offices of this scam and forewarn them that if a visit is

arranged that the police be contacted. Peter Carter can also be contacted directly at our Caritas head

office, ph: 02 8306 3469, Peter will be delighted to talk with him. Any further information on calls can also

be passed to Peter Carter on that number or peterc@caritas.org.au

I am sorry that your parishes and offices are getting these calls and disturbances with the launch of Project

Compassion. Thank you for your assistance in this matter and the hard work that your diocese undertakes

for Project Compassion.

With best wishes

Jack de Groot

Chief Executive Officer