Wailuku Hongwanji recently learned that Rev. Shinkai Murakami’s personal email account was hacked and used to send fraudulent messages without his knowledge. One message, titled “Please Check,” asked recipients to click a link to download a PDF. Rev. Murakami did not send this message. Please do not click the link or download the document.
Hongwanji temples throughout Hawai‘i have experienced similar scams involving spoofing, where criminals impersonate ministers using fake email accounts. Previous messages impersonating Rev. Murakami came from addresses such as senseivdr@icloud.com and rev.reverend@keemail.me. His legitimate address is shinkai528@gmail.com. This incident is different because criminals gained access to his actual account and sent messages directly from it.
These scams are called phishing, when criminals trick people into clicking dangerous links, sharing personal information, or downloading harmful software. Artificial intelligence (AI) now helps scammers write convincing messages that sound like someone we know. Even a familiar email address or writing style cannot guarantee a message is genuine.
Rev. Murakami has updated his account security and changed his password. Wailuku Hongwanji continues to report these incidents to the FBI. We encourage everyone to follow these precautions:
- Think before you click. Avoid unexpected links or attachments, even from people you know. They may lead to fraudulent websites or harmful software.
- Verify unusual requests. Rev. Murakami will never personally email you asking for money. If something seems suspicious, call him or the temple office using a trusted telephone number.
- Use long, unique passwords. Choose at least 15–20 characters, preferably longer. Length matters more than special characters or numbers. Never reuse passwords, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
- Report suspicious activity. Report fraudulent emails and online scams to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. If you clicked a suspicious link or shared personal information, promptly secure your accounts and seek assistance.
Remember: Cybercriminals exploit our trust and willingness to help. Taking a moment to verify an unexpected message can protect you, your family, and our Sangha.
Mahalo to everyone who has helped bring these incidents to our attention.