One of Scotland's most notorious con artists, Anthony Brennan, who also uses the surname Adams, has adopted a new fake occupation: an exorcist. Brennan has a history of alter egos that have duped innocent victims, many of whom lost money or were exploited.
Bogus Minister Credentials
The Record has repeatedly exposed Brennan's schemes, which targeted pensioners, schoolboy footballers, and a bereaved family. Now, he has signed up via the US-based website Get Ordained to become a minister, offering exorcisms, marriages, baptisms, funerals, and christenings—none of which are legally valid. His online profile on Get Ordained lists him as "Anthony B."
Brennan boasts: "I have been in ministry for four years and have done many funerals, baptisms, hand blessings and civil ceremonies. My passion is to help people grow in their faith and to connect with God in meaningful ways." He also claims to offer pre-marital counselling despite his own chaotic life.
Victim's Reaction
A victim of Brennan contacted the Record after discovering his latest fakery. They said: "I nearly fell off my chair when his face popped up on my screen. It’s just the same old tricks, with him signing up for anything that offers a shortcut to something prestigious and carrying a lot of responsibility. He is obsessed with status and power and that’s why this stuff isn’t just a joke. There’s always someone getting ripped off."
History of Fraud
Brennan previously duped young workers into joining his private paramedic service, which chased ambulances at public events, and left staff unpaid. He also pretended to be a Celtic scout, producing fake ID to trick 10-year-old boys. In another scam, he posed as an international peace envoy, sending blind pensioner Bill Mackie on a wild goose chase to Tanzania and stealing his Army medals.
Most shockingly, Brennan insinuated himself into the life of a grieving mother after her son died in a motorbike accident. He carried the coffin at the funeral and falsely claimed to be a hospital consultant.
Court Sentencing
In May 2026, Brennan gave a one-finger salute to blind ex-serviceman Bill Mackie after duping him into believing he was an Interpol agent. Brennan, 31, admitted to fraudulently obtaining Bill's medals. Sheriff Shirley Foran ordered him to undertake community payback, 12 months of supervision, and repay Bill £397 for the unrecovered medals.
Brennan's lawyer, Scott Agnew, said Brennan suffers from anxiety, depression, and dissociative personality disorder. After sentencing, Bill Mackie said: "I’d like to think that he will learn from this latest court appearance but fear he won’t be able to stop himself from doing similar stuff to other unsuspecting victims."
