Received a phone call from a fellow (David) who said that I met him before I went on sabbatical and do I remember him -- which I do not but that isn't unusual when I meet so many people after worship services. It seemed legit because I did just go on sabbatical (so he must be reading the parish website).  Anyway, he said he needed money for the kids and his wife (who recently had eye surgery) and that her medications and/or help with the children's shoes would be appreciated. when I explained that I only make payments to institutions/agencies, he gave me the 876-398-8220 telephone number in Jamaica so I could call a retired priest (Fr. Grenier) who could vouch for him and his story.  He called back after 30 minutes, in which time I found this website. He hung up when I told him i would not help him except to pray for him!

I got a call from him on Monday... very similar story... wife having cataract surgery... mother-in-law with breast cancer... needed money for medicine. He couldn't give me a phone number or email address, but did give me Luis Grenier's name and phone number as a reference. It sounded hinky, so I asked him to call me on Wednesday. By this time I was on to him, so when he called I did not answer. But he called more than a dozen times on Wednesday (Caller ID Blocked) and a few times today. So I answered, and told him that I had found out some very disturbing things about his story... (silence)... he asked what I meant... I said that I'd found a website with very many variations of his story... (silence)... I asked him not to call me back anymore... he quickly hung up.

Trying to find out who owns this phone number.

Similar Scam. Caller identified himself alternately as David or Winston Lewis. Said he had been to church once. That his wife was sick, but he now had a new job at a Home Depot in Kingston. When I asked for verification he finally said to call 876-398-8220 and speak with a retired Anglican priest named Luis Grenier. When I ran the number I found this website. When "David / Winston called back and was confronted with his information he hung up.

He can't "Get back" because he never lived in the USA.....
It's all a bullsh!t story.....100% crap

Mostly the same story as above. David is looking to pay for plane tickets to get back to the States because he can't get work in Jamaica. Still got the kids and the wife. Cites Fr. Louis Grenier and St. Theresa's as references. Wanted $145. This has got to be working for him because he keeps at it.

New twist!!!
They are getting really creative!! ALL CALLS FROM AREACODE 876 ARE SCAMS!!!!
876 is in Kingston,Jamaica..the capitol of Scammers worldwide.
Read the other complaints posted here and other sites, google 876 scam...
DO NOT give them ANY info..or funds.....it's a complete ripoff!!!

Caller, David, asking for money for three children for shoes.  Wife Jennifer's mother in hospital with breast cancer.  I could contanct Fr. Lewis Grenier for verification.  David has called twice daily in the last three days.  Once to tell me that the mother-in-law didtn't make it and the kids really need shoes at $35 a pair.

Same call - but now Daivid added a third child to his list of needs, when we told David we don't wire money for any reason . . .but we could send a check by snail mail to his local pastor he told us  that it wouldn't help - he needed it right away for medical expenses  - - then we added we can only mail it directly to your pastor if you can provide us his conact informtion.  Then he told us that his pastor is  Mr. ...no Rev. Lewis and gave us this number to reach him.

This number used as a reference for a pastor to a man calling who claims medical needs for children... David Martin, wife Valerie, 2 kids Elizabeth and Christopher. Claims to have attended church in April 2010 and needs help with medical concerns.  Similar to many other reported fraud calls.