Fraudulent Friar Scammed $650K from Donors, Feds Say He Lived a Lavish Double Life in NYC
A Manhattan friar is accused of scamming $650,000 from donors by pretending to run medical clinics, instead funding a lavish lifestyle. š #News #NewYorkNY #NewYork #Crime
NEW YORK, NY – In a quiet room at the Manhattan friary, the unassuming cleric moved about his day as the city buzzed outside. But the peace was shattered when federal agents arrived to arrest him for years of deceit. “Father Paul,” as he was known, had siphoned hundreds of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting donors who believed their money was aiding war-torn regions in the Middle East.
Instead, it was funneled into extravagant meals, luxurious getaways, and even plastic surgery.
The man behind this grand scheme, Pawel Bielecki, spent eight years conning generous individuals, preying on their compassion. He claimed their donations were supporting medical clinics in Lebanon, but federal investigators revealed this was a lie. Bielecki had not left the United States for years, and the hospitals he spoke of were entirely fictional.
Exploiting Tragedy for Personal Gain
Bielecki targeted several communities across multiple states, including New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Georgia, and Florida. He frequently appeared on radio shows and crowdfunding platforms, pleading for help in supporting hospitals he claimed were treating victims in Lebanon.
One particularly heinous aspect of his scheme was his use of the 2020 Beirut chemical explosion, a tragedy that claimed hundreds of lives, to solicit more donations. He falsely claimed to have been injured in the blast, gaining even more sympathy and financial support.
Authorities noted that Bielecki made several local purchases in New York on the day of the Beirut explosion, proving he was never in Lebanon. Investigations uncovered that he hadnāt left the U.S. since December 2019.
Instead of treating the wounded, he was indulging in lavish meals, trips to the Hamptons, and high-end body contouring procedures in Manhattan.
Luxury and Lies
Over the course of his fraudulent operations, Bielecki withdrew nearly $50,000 in cash and funneled over $600,000 to cover personal expenses. His monthly gym membership alone was over $300, and he spent more than $15,000 on liposuction surgery, all under the guise of serving a humanitarian mission.
Bielecki went to great lengths to appear legitimate. He even created a fake charity, āSt. Francis in Beirut Inc.,ā which he encouraged donors to support.
Many victims were moved by his claims of helping doctors along the Syrian border and providing ambulances to remote villages. One Pennsylvania couple alone gave him $84,000, believing their money was helping save lives.
In reality, Bielecki was using the funds for personal gain, including shopping sprees at high-end stores and lavish dining experiences.
Bieleckiās deceitful actions have left communities and individuals reeling. His arrest, while providing some justice, is a bitter pill for many of his victims who trusted the friar with their donations.
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