Pastor scammed - US preacher says Jamaicans sold him a million-dollar lie

A New York-based pastor and his wife say they were lured into a bogus Jamaican farming venture by a couple they trusted as family in their church -- only to lose more than J$1.5 million before the pair allegedly vanished without a trace.

Apostle James* told THE WEEKEND STAR that he and his wife, Martha*, were introduced to the investment opportunity by a Jamaican couple who were closely involved in their ministry.

"We had a good relationship with them. I christened their daughter, married them, gave them expensive colognes, bags and ties. We did a lot for them, some things we can't speak of."

The betrayal, James said, cuts deeper because it was wrapped in prayer and promises.

"Even worse. I prayed over his book with this idea, he brought it to me saying he wants this to work out. I really can't believe it."

According to the pastor, the deal was pitched as a thriving agricultural operation in Jamaica -- farmland, pigs, crops and long-term profits. He and his wife forked out cash to pay for what they believe was 16 acres of land.

The couple say they even visited St Ann to view what they believed was their property. They walked the property slowly, taking in its natural beauty, imagining crops in the soil and livestock roaming the fields. In their minds, the future was already taking shape -- a thriving farm, a solid investment, a legacy built on trust.

"I paid US$10,000 (approximately J$1.55 million) in all for the property," he said. "We were supposed to do farming, chicken, corn, everything. We even gave them money to prepare the land, to plough it so it could be ready for planting."

Blinded by trust, James admitted he handed over the money without demanding legal safeguards.

"I gave them the money upfront, even before asking for the papers, because I trusted them," the pastor said. "It was only after the payments were made that we started asking for the title and other documents."

But the requests for paperwork were met with silence -- and more demands for cash.

James said the couple later begged for an additional loan, claiming the roof of the man's mother's house -- located on the supposed farm property -- needed urgent repairs.

"I gave them US$1,500 (approximately J$232,000) to fix the roof because he said it was damaged," James said. "I was told I would get that money back in two weeks, but I never did. Money was also supposed to go toward four pregnant pigs and 20 piglets."

According to James, concerns deepened when the couple failed to provide proof of ownership for the land.

"We were told we were purchasing the land as well, but they couldn't show us a title," he said. "That's when we realised something was wrong. My wife, who is an attorney, stepped in and kept asking for documents to prove the land was ours."

According to Martha, the investment was presented in a way that made it appear legitimate and well established.

"Because of the representation they created, you wouldn't think they would do something like this," she said. "They made it seem like this operation had been running for years. [It was] like everything was already in place and we were just coming in to further invest and purchase the land."

In July 2024, the couple travelled to Jamaica to meet the church members, who had already arrived on the island. James said they stayed at a resort in Montego Bay, St James before travelling to St Ann to view the property.

"We rented a car and drove to the property. We walked around the property. There were people working, one man was clearing land with a machete and cutting trees," he related.

The pastor said one of the workers appeared to have a close relationship with the members of his church.

"He told me everything was under control and that he trusted this man with everything, but when I started asking questions and pointing out things I didn't like, the man clearing the land got aggravated."

"I told him he shouldn't be acting like that if I'm asking questions, because this was supposed to be my land," he added.

His wife said the investment was divided between them, with her contributing toward four acres of land and her husband investing in 12 acres.

"I wanted to plant peppers and corn," she said. "My husband also paid US$1,600 to clear the land. Altogether, everything came up to over US$10,000."

After returning to New York, James alleges that disagreements began in August of 2024. "There was a lot happening, and my wife said we would not send another dollar"

One Sunday after church, he confronted his Jamaican church members about the situation and I told them that they needed back the money. Shortly after, the couple stopped attending church.

"They were coming to church until the date was coming up for them to pay back. They never came and I found out they left New York" he added.

From then, the pastor said all attempts to contact the couple went unanswered.

* Names changed to protect identity.