I've recently observed a new 'scam' - I've put it in ' '  bec. its done so subtly and with such skill over time, that even the church would give her child freely for this exploitation.  The scam goes something like this :  
so, you're a talented speaker fresh out of theological college but your home denomination doesn't have space for such ruggedness .... what do you do : you feel too 'talented' to take a job in the 'real world' and all you'd really like to do is read more books, live a life pottering around with your community - the sweet life of being financially supported to do the things you loves most : ie reading, living, eating - all in the pious name of life long fellowship.  Problem is, you don't have enough money for this lifestyle nor do your supporters have enough moolah either.  So, what is an intelligent man of obvious con fidence and talent to do? 
so this is the plan : you and your supporters visit other denominations where there are small churches with dwindling elderly numbers but with established property.  Preferably one with lots of real estate but an old congregation ... you offer to work there to replenish their church.  And indeed you are successful, you are a talented speaker and the young and disillusioned are drawn to you.  This is just step one of the plan, and soon you desire a house, after all you don't own any property yourself - and now you have a wife and children - as does your colleague who is the game with you and has taken on the co-pastor role of leading the young and disillusioned. 
So, you establish yourself over a span of 5 years - and indeed the church becomes yours - almost everyone in the congregation is at your summons.  And no one questions you, after all you rebuilt this church.  
Then this is where the real plan kicks in.  You decide that you will no longer hold gatherings at the church - instead you will each host gatherings at your own homes.  Properties that are purchased with the church's money.  Similarly, the allowance handed down by the central churches council will not be accounted for at the central church - but will be directly divided between your house church and your colleague's house church.  After 2 years of this, the final icing on the cake is this : You sell off the chapel and its grounds and all the millions are divided up between yourself and your colleague and funded into securing personal properties for both, call them "house churches" or 'church ranches'. By this stage, you make your "house church" accessible only via an internal email chain and effective disappear.  The only people to benefit from the millions, will be your clever self, your family and close friends - your personal church has succeeded in the heist
And that is the truth of it - I witnessed the silent death of a church ... cleverly killed off with this 6 year plan.   I saw the speaker arrive and give his first talk ... to the last service ... a church that existed in that spot for 150years was systematically cannibalised.  Sold off to strangers who disappeared after 6 years.