Have you been approached recently by religious solicitors?

University at Buffalo Police Deputy Chief, Josh Sticht, says there has been more solicitors on campus as of late that are targeting the university as well as other highly populated areas like grocery stores and malls. Sticht says the women are carrying bibles and are wearing long dresses, approaching women recruiting for their church, yet rumors swirled around social media warning of their intent.

“[It was believed that] these women who appear to be soliciting by selling bibles or inviting to people to join them in bible study, were actually this front for some kind of sex trafficking ring," Sticht said. “We looked into it, our other law enforcement partners in Western New York looked into it, and we found no evidence that there was any kind of sex trafficking or anything else sinister behind these motivations.” 

Some female students on campus at UB have already been approached. 

“They asked for my number, they wanted to take me to one of the meetings and talk to me more about it," one student said. “I have really late classes so sometimes it’s concerning to be walking alone.”

Sticht says the groups of women have been tied to the World Mission Society Church of God off of Millersport Highway and churches belonging to the Latter Day Saints. 

“Trust their guts, if something doesn’t look right, if something makes them nervous, call us we’re here to help 24 hours a day," Sticht says. 

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