ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY, N.Y. -- A North Country priest is the victim of a very costly scam. The Watertown Daily Times is reporting that Monsignor Robert Lalwer, a priest in the Ogdensburg Catholic diocese gave around $100,000 to a person he believed was in need.

According to the report, that person, whose identity is unknown, said they had a sick child when that wasn't really the case.

Lawler was the pastor of St. Mary's parish in Waddington and St. John the Baptist's Church in Madrid until last July. According to the diocese, Lalwer has since retired to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Ogdensburg, where he serves as Vicar General.

The Saint Lawrence County Sheriff's office says it's aware of the incident, but that no complainant has come forward.

State Police did confirm there is an ongoing criminal investigation into the matter, but did not release any further information.