Tour Guide Caught in Beatification Ticket Scam

| Fri, 03/25/2011 - 05:39

An American tour guide is under investigation in Rome, suspected of selling fake tickets to the beatification of Pope John Paul II.

The guide, who was giving Vatican tours without an official license, is accused of using a website (vaticancitytours.com) to sell pilgrims outrageously priced fraudulent tickets to the May 1st ceremony.

The pilgrims were charged 166 Euro for tickets to the beatification, which is actually a free event that does not require vouchers of any kind.

Italian police put an end to the scam after being tipped off by Vatican officials. Upon raiding the American's suspects house, they found several beatification vouchers, 15 computers and 21 guns hidden in a safe.

Two million faithful are expected to make the pilgrimage to Rome to observe the ceremony, so police are urging visitors to vigilant about possible scams.

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