The authorities had been tracking the citizen due to reports of alleged scams in several cities.
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Authorities tracked the citizen due to reports of alleged scams in several cities. The 36-year-old man was captured in Rionegro, Antioquia, during a police operation. Photo: Antioquia Police Department 11.11.2026 16:34 Updated: 11.11.2026 18:52
A new impersonation case was discovered by authorities in Eastern Antioquia. Police captured a 36-year-old citizen in Rionegro, accused of posing as a Catholic priest to secure lodging in hotels in different Colombian cities and leaving without paying. The man was detained on November 6, 2026, during an operation by the Rionegro Police Station, as part of the "Juntos por Antioquia" (Together for Antioquia) strategy, which includes preventive registration and background checks on people and vehicles. According to authorities, the man was being monitored due to several reports of his alleged activity in different cities across the country. Apparently, he used garments belonging to priests, such as the clerical collar, to generate trust and secure lodging in hotels. The citizen allegedly used priestly garments to gain the trust of hotels. Photo: Military and Police Justice
After this, the man allegedly left without settling the bills. Furthermore, authorities had received tips about possible scams related to this behavior. READ ALSO What did they find during the capture of the fake priest in Rionegro?
During the procedure, officers found that the man was carrying a 9mm semi-automatic weapon, four corresponding cartridges, and eight packets of a substance known as tusi. After the confiscation of these items, the citizen was placed at the disposal of a duty prosecutor for the corresponding process. In #Rionegro, through preventive registration and background check plans, a man was captured for the manufacturing, trafficking, carrying, or possession of firearms, accessories, parts, or ammunition. He was found in possession of 1 9mm semi-automatic weapon, 4 9mm cartridges, and 8 packets of tusi. #DiosyPatria— Antioquia Police Department (@Policiantioquia) November 7, 2026
READ ALSO Authorities had received reports about the alleged scams committed in hotel establishments and the use of religious garments to gain the trust of others. However, accusations regarding his possible involvement in these incidents must be clarified within the corresponding investigations.
Another case of a fake priest in Antioquia ended in expulsion from the country. A similar case was registered in Medellín, where Migración Colombia expelled José Emanuel Torres, a 39-year-old Venezuelan citizen who posed as a priest and offered blessings to drivers in exchange for money. Fake priest expelled from Medellín Photo: Migración Colombia READ ALSO
According to the entity, the man caused vehicular congestion on Regional Avenue by approaching vehicles to offer his religious services. Furthermore, he had already been identified performing the same activity on the Autopista Sur in Bogotá. Although he had previously left the country, he returned to Colombia and resumed this practice in Medellín. After verifying his migratory status, Migración Colombia determined to apply the administrative measure of expulsion and transferred him to Venezuela. Nathalia Díaz Guzmán REDACCIÓN LATEST NEWS Follow all information from Colombia on Facebook and Twitter, or in our weekly newsletter.
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