Between January and November 2025, at least twelve major cases were reported worldwide exposing church authorities and religious leaders misusing institutional funds for personal luxury, fraud, or self-enrichment.
The incidents span the United States, India, Pakistan, China, and Rwanda, revealing a disturbing global trend of financial abuse within religious institutions. From stolen daycare donations and cryptocurrency scams to embezzlement and property misuse, these cases highlight the widening gap between moral preaching and ethical practice among certain clergy.
#1 Grace Chapel Church Daycare Director Arrested for $60,000 Theft – 5 November 2025 | Place: DeLand, Volusia, USA
Former daycare director Jennifer Olson was arrested for stealing $59,185.50 from Grace Chapel Church’s accounts. She inflated her overtime, fabricated paychecks, placed her husband on the payroll, and transferred stolen funds via 39 unauthorized Zelle transactions to her personal account. The money was used for home renovations, credit card bills, luxury shopping, and travel. An internal audit uncovered the theft, and Olson was charged with money laundering, organized fraud, and grand theft, booked into Volusia County Jail on a $55,000 bond.
#2 “Crypto Pastor” Convicted in $1.3 Million Fraud Case – 5 November 2025 | Place: Denver, Colorado, USA
Self-styled “Crypto Pastor” Eli Regalado and his wife Kaitlyn were convicted of defrauding followers through a fraudulent crypto investment scheme disguised as a divine plan. They raised over $1.3 million, claiming it was blessed by God, but spent the money on luxury cars, vacations, dental work, and home remodeling. Eli admitted to the fraud on video. A Denver grand jury indicted the couple on 40 counts of theft and securities fraud. The court ordered them to repay $3.3 million, and Eli faces up to 20 years in prison.
#3 Tallahassee Church Treasurer Arrested for $70,000 Fraud – 3 November 2025 | Place: Tallahassee, Florida, USA
Marisa Humose, treasurer of Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, embezzled more than $70,000 over three years by misusing the church’s Cash App account. She transferred funds for personal use while hiding records. Marisa also defrauded her government employer, Florida Fish and Wildlife, by claiming fake work hours. She was arrested for grand theft and organized fraud, fired from her state position, and now faces prosecution for dual institutional fraud.
#4 Xi’an Church Leaders Re-Arrested for Donation Fraud – 2 November 2025 | Place: Xi’an, China
Three leaders of the underground Church of Abundance — Pastor Lian Changnian, Pastor Lian Xuliang, and Preacher Fu Juan — were re-arrested on fraud charges related to misuse of church donations. The trio had been under house surveillance after their 2022 detention and 2025 trial. Their church, known for refusing to join the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement, faced continued crackdowns, and the reason behind the renewed arrests remained unclear.
#5 Oklahoma Bishop Convicted of $170,000 Church Fund Misuse – 30 October 2025 | Place: Meeker, Oklahoma, USA
Bishop Michael Hall and his wife Vickie Hall were convicted of embezzling $170,000 from Living Waters Tabernacle Church. They used the money for home upgrades, cars, and retail purchases. When irregularities were exposed, Hall retaliated by locking out the new pastor. He was arrested and removed from all church duties, facing embezzlement and fraud charges.
#6 Kerala Church Operator Arrested for ₹45 Lakh Fraud – 9 October 2025 | Place: Kottayam, India
T.P. Hariprasad, operator of the Pentecostal Mission of India (PMI) centre, was arrested for deceiving a victim of ₹45 lakh and stealing gold ornaments under the pretext of charity. After fleeing across Kerala and Tamil Nadu for eight months, he was caught in Kollam. Police confirmed the entire scheme was executed using his church position as a cover.
#7 Alabama Pastor Used $400,000 in Church Funds for Luxury Purchases – 7 October 2025 | Place: Huntsville, Alabama, USA
Adrian Davis, former pastor of All Nations Worship Assembly, was found guilty of diverting $400,000 in church money to buy an Audi, a GMC Yukon, luxury jewelry, and pay personal debts. He filed a false tax return in 2021 to hide the theft. Federal prosecutors charged him with wire fraud, and Davis agreed to repay $549,199 in restitution, facing up to 20 years in prison.
#8 Nigerian Pastor and Monarch Convicted in $3.76 Million U.S. Fraud – 26 August 2025 | Place: Ohio, USA
Oba Joseph Oloyede and Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi were convicted for stealing $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief loans through fake business applications. They used the funds for real estate, vehicles, and luxury goods. The U.S. court sentenced Oloyede to 56 months in prison, ordered $4.4 million restitution, and seized his Ohio property.
#9 Indiana Church Employee Caught in Major Theft Case – 8 August 2025 | Place: Lafayette, Indiana, USA
Julia Wonnacott, an employee of Heartland Community Church, was accused of stealing thousands via PayPal transfers and forged credit applications. She used the stolen funds for vehicles, travel, and home purchases, even applying for a $170,000 loan in the church’s name. Authorities filed criminal charges after recovering multiple fake documents.
#10 Greek Orthodox Priest Admits $155,000 Theft for Gambling – 18 February 2025 | Place: Pittsburgh, USA
Father George Athanasiou stole $155,000 from All Saints Greek Orthodox Church to support his gambling addiction. He repaid the money after conviction and was sentenced to one year of home detention, five years’ probation, and 300 hours of community service. Parishioners described the betrayal as a deep moral wound.
#11 Rwandan Bishop Detained for Misusing Church Assets – 21 January 2025 | Place: Kigali, Rwanda
Rt. Rev. Samuel Mugisha Mugiraneza, Bishop of Shyira Diocese, was detained for embezzling church property. He was accused of giving business contracts to his wife, using diocesan land for personal cattle, and forming a private company to supply materials for church projects. The bishop remains under investigation for embezzlement and abuse of power.
#12 Pakistani Pastor Removed for Diverting Seminary Funds – 2 January 2025 | Place: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Rev. Majid Abel, former head of Gujranwala Theological Seminary, was found guilty of diverting foreign donations and construction funds into private accounts. He awarded contracts to his brothers, issued fake receipts, and loaned seminary money to himself. The seminary board dismissed him immediately, banned him from representing the institution, and filed a review report to Pakistani authorities.
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