A Seattle man running a so-called Christian prayer website and other businesses will return millions of dollars to consumers nationwide who paid for prayers, the Washington state attorney general said.
As part of an agreement, Benjamin Rogovy will pay back as much as $7.75 million to approximately 165,000 customers who were victims of Rogovy’s deceptive business practices in several companies he ran, Attorney General Bob Ferguson said Wednesday.
Rogovy used systematic deception in his operation of the Christian Prayer Center, creating fake religious leaders and posting false testimonials on its website to entice people to pay from $9 to $35 for prayers, Ferguson said. The attorney general says Rogovy collected over $7 million from consumers between 2011 and 2015 and that his actions violate the state Consumer Protection Act.
“What I will not tolerate is unlawful businesses that prey upon people —taking advantage of their faith or their need for help— in order to make a quick buck,” Ferguson said in a news release.
The Christian Prayer Center website, now shut down, showed a message Wednesday saying it is now closed, with links to other prayer sites it says it’s not affiliated with.
“We thank you for all the prayers, and we cherish the opportunity to have created a place where Christians could meet to support each other,” the message said.
A message left for Rogovy at the business number on its still functioning Facebook page was not immediately returned.
Ferguson says Rogovy also used deceptive and unfair business practices to run a business called the Consumer Complaint Agency which promised people it would advocate on their behalf regarding their complaints against businesses. Instead it charged people up to $25 for doing little more than forwarding complaints, Ferguson said.
People who bought prayer services from Christian Prayer Service or from its sister website Orcion Cristiana between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2015, can receive a full refund. Ferguson said those affected should receive an email from the businesses by April 8 alerting them to the opportunity to file a complaint to receive a refund.
Consumers seeking a refund can file a complaint with the Washington State Attorney General’s Office through June 12, 2016.
No claim needs to be filed by customers of Consumer Complaint Agency, which will proactively mail checks to eligible consumers, Ferguson said.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
Religion! It’s all about the pocket book.
Not all religion. You need to check out each organization carefully. Unfortunately there are scams by people who call themselves Christian. Please don’t judge all by the actions of the pretenders.
People need to understand they can pray on their own. They don’t need to send money to some charlatan to pray.
Any time fake people and fake testimonials are used to promote a product or service, the business likely crosses into fraud. That sounds like a good reason to me to go after this scam artist and demand refunds for all his customers.
Another one of Satan’s minions. As stated in a previous comment you don’t have to pay for prayers. Speak directly to GOD within your heart. It is said that GOD is a cardio knower. You can’t fool him for he knows what we’re thinking. After all he created our very souls.
Remember the money you send ends up in the pockets of scam artists.
The Bible says that Satan poses as an angel of light. People need to read the Bible to know what true Christianity is. Salvation is a FREE gift. With it comes the privilege of FREE prayer.
Anyone requiring money to pray for you is an imposter.
There are imposters in every walk of life.
I recently heard of a man posing as a Medical doctor. He was found to have false papers. We don’t quit going to doctors because one was an imposter.
Christianity is full of imposters that have infiltrated the flock. They are called “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. That doesn’t negate the flock’s credibility. Read your Bible and use discernment. If it is complicated it is probably not authentic. Jesus paid for everything. Any organization that tells you you have to pay more is “selling you a bill of goods”.
God says, there are sheep in wolves clothing , and they will be exposed likes this creep crawling around looking to see who to devour next, be wary in PRAYER AND SUIPLICATION AT ALL TIMES lest you be taken in by deception.AMEN
People, before there was the Internet, TV, Radio, Mass Mailings and converted ball stadiums, there was God! The Bible say’s that Jesus is our one and only mediator and all we need to do is pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, that should simplify the matter. Before the electronic age people went straight to the Lord in prayer. No other mediator or interpreter is needed. We have direct access to the One who hears our prayers Himself. He is the same today as He was and will be forever.
Aside from the primary referendum of National Sovereignty vs globalism, the truly “born of the Spirit” Christian have another referendum before them in this presidential cycle. With humility I put this before the Body of Christ:
Will you choose as a leader of this Nation a CINO (Christian in Name only) or hold out (possibly not this election) for a man who truly stands up for the God of our salvation?
Each man and women must vote according to their own conscience, but I urge you to not vote for anyone who speaks as a Christian though acting just like those who know not God.
This is a critical election for our continuance, even as a Nation, but it’s even more important that this man or women not bring shame on the Name above all Names, The Lord Jesus Christ!