Lafayette, IN – Authorities are warning Lafayette-area churches and Shuls to be cautious of a man, possibly posing as a Purdue University student, who they suspect has swindled dozens of several hundred dollars.
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The man, whose name is believed to be Alan M. Farha II, was able to get $300 from Temple Israel on Wednesday morning, said Officer Janet Shepherd of the West Lafayette Police Department.
Rabbi Pollack said Fahra — who was well-dressed and carrying a backpack — said he recently moved to the community and was a graduate student at Purdue.
Fahra allegedly said his father died in Israel and that he needed money to fly home. After writing Fahra a check and dropping him off at Purdue, Pollack decided to look him up online.
“I was shocked. I thought I would find something with a connection to Purdue,” said Pollack, who came across an article published in April in the Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune about Fahra’s alleged scams.
“He seemed to know a lot about the Jewish community. He mentioned knowing rabbis in other communities whom I know and described having attended services there. He had his facts straight.”
Pollack and Shepherd expressed concern that Fahra may try to use the same story at other area congregations.
“Our concern is that he is going to hit all the churches in town, and shuls.
She said Fahra cashed the check before Pollack learned that he may be a con artist.
Tippecanoe County’s shared Records Management System for law enforcement shows that Fahra was in Lafayette on Nov. 2, 2006, Shepherd said. He gave a Lafayette police officer an Indianapolis address and said he was looking for Lafayette Urban Ministry’s homeless shelter.
LUM executive director Joe Micon said Wednesday that he was not familiar with Fahra.
Capt. Zim Schwartze of the Columbia Police Department in Missouri said Fahra is suspected of swindling dozens of churches and some businesses in mid-Missouri between February and May.
The department has issued a warrant for his arrest.
“Each time, he gave a hard-luck story — that he needed money to get to a funeral because a family member died,” Schwartze said Wednesday. “He was very believable. The money he got was substantial. We’re talking about $300 to $400 at a time.”
Detectives have tracked him across the country, including to Washington, D.C., Dallas and, most recently, Oklahoma City in November, Schwartze said. Alan Farha II is believed to be his real name.
“It’s a delicate balance in terms of trying to help people who seek our assistance,” pollack said. “It’s a delicate balance trying to figure out who really is in need and sorting through the stories that we often hear.”
He is begging for assistance, and getting it voluntarily, so what crime has he committed? Did he try to extort the good Rabbi, or just play on his emotions? Sure he is a con man, flim flam, whatever you want to call it-but what is he being charged with? The Bunko squad is searching for him. It is the “Rabbi” who is at fault here for squandering community funds Before doing due dilligence. This money could have gone to real Jews in need. The Rabbi should be forced to pay back from his own money the amount he threw away on this stinkin goy fraud. The board should repremand or fire him for using such poor judgement. I assume he is reformed or reconstructive?
This is the type of story that really burns me up!. I am Not upset with the young man- drugged up bum that he is. It is the “communal leaders” that are so free with money that is not theirs. look at that shmuck in the picture . how can anyone be so dumb as to believe a word he said. It is a double loss-the cash, and that he made a fool of Jews.
WOW mi kiamcha yisroel! if you want tzedaka you come to shul!!!
I got scammed a few times by these scam artists. Its very sad, how we have to be very careful, before u give any money.
It’s about time they published a article on this subject. My father threw out from his shul 5-10 goyim that come around posing as jewish nebach cases. I’m ashamed how naive my community is, and that’s why all the shnorer’s from the other communities come here. It’s disgusting all these shnorers coming in by the car load and disturbing the prayer making a mess at the coffee table eating like beheymos and walking out. This has to stop! These people should get a job, it’s a disgrace how many of these people come around, and u know wat i mean if u come to my shul, they look like rabbi’s but they stich there wad of cash in ur face during shemona esrie! i think we should abolish them1
it goes to show…only give money to people with money
Next time, just offer to drive him to the airport.
Be careful there are scamartists who will approach you at the airports begging you to give them money so they can buy tickets to fly so they can attend relative funerals. This happens alot at the ben gurion aiport in israel.