Welcome
The Order of Freemasonry holds high membership standards but membership in the Order is so compelling that even when a member is forcibly ejected under sentence of expulsion, the disgraced former-member may use his knowledge of the Order to create a bogus lodge under his control. Men like John G Jones in Illinois and Robert Fletcher in California did just this a century ago, and the bogus groups derived from their activity continue to flourish today. These men had no Masonic authority to form lodges, so the lodges they formed are listed here as bogus. It is unfortunate about the men they duped to come into their lodges. These men can apply for membership in a legitimate lodge, but legitimate lodges will not accept the bogus organizations that defrauded them.
Our Mission
The Mission of this commission is to expose to the Prince Hall Freemason, Mainstream Freemason and the Public at Large those groups that cannot trace their lineage to African Lodge Number 459 or the United Grand Lodge of England, Ireland, or Scotland. This commission's purpose also is to educate the innocent Bogus Mason of his origins. Brother Stephen Hill, FPS (California) organized this commission and we were asked to continue it. I thank him for setting the tone for this group.
It is our hope that all Prince Hall Grand Lodges are on the same page when it comes to dealing with these groups. That is getting rid of them and bringing them into our ranks. By this effort, teaching them true Masonic law.
With the recognition wheel rolling, it is my concern that the Prince Hall and Mainstream Mason do not give these Bogus organizations “credibility” by speaking with and fraternizing with them.
The articles and information presented are taken from reputable documentation: proceedings, books, papers and actual web sites. I hope that you benefit from this site, and if you can recommend anything to enhance the site (articles, documents, etc.) we would greatly appreciate hearing from you.
"I would not think very much of a merchant that would sell me a fine looking gay looking suit that seems to fit so well at home, and then when I get out in company or among strangers it gets so small I can not get in it." -PGM H.R. Butler (GA)
Current Cautionary Notice
Reported Irregular Masonic Activity Involving Brazilian Community GroupsDate: May 2026
The Commission on Bogus Masonry has received a report concerning alleged bogus Masonic activity involving individuals and organizations operating under the appearance of Freemasonry within portions of the Brazilian community in the United States.
The report identifies activity of concern in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Georgia, Florida, and Connecticut. The information received alleges that certain individuals are presenting themselves as leaders of supposedly legitimate Masonic organizations while using fabricated patents, false charters, counterfeit recognitions, fictitious international relationships, and self-recognized “Grand Lodges.”
This notice is issued as a cautionary advisory. It is not a final adjudication against any person or organization by the Phylaxis Society, the Commission on Bogus Masonry, or the Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters. Its purpose is to alert Grand Lodges, lodges, appendant bodies, and Masonic authorities to exercise due diligence, verify all claims of Masonic authority, and report related concerns through proper channels.The report alleges that the activity includes financial exploitation, excessive degree-related charges, unverified claims of recognition, and attempts to enter recognized Masonic jurisdictions in order to learn rituals, customs, administrative procedures, and organizational structures.
Reported practices of concern include:
• Charging substantial fees for symbolic degrees
• Charging additional fees for further so-called degrees
• Requiring unusually high monthly dues
• Promising financial returns or recruitment-based incentives
• Offering individuals the opportunity to become “Worshipful Masters” of newly created lodges in exchange for recruiting others
• Creating self-recognized “Grand Lodges”
• Claiming recognition from Brazil or other jurisdictions without verification
• Using alleged patents, charters, or recognitions not confirmed by regular Masonic authority
• Attempting to enter regular jurisdictions for the purpose of learning rituals, customs, procedures, or administrative structures.
Persons and Claimed Titles Identified in the Report
The following names and claimed titles were identified in the report received by the Commission. Their inclusion in this notice should not be read as a final finding of guilt, civil liability, criminal liability, or Masonic discipline. They are listed for cautionary review, verification, and due diligence by appropriate Masonic authorities.
From Brazil, listed in the report as “Sovereign Grand Commanders”:
• Marcilio Rohda
• Osnir Batista
• Clayton Machado
From Florida, listed in the report as “Sovereign Grand Commanders”:
• Werner Fomin
• Wesley Bandeira
From Connecticut, listed in the report as “Most Worshipful Grand Master”:
• Reinaldo Amaral Moreira
From New Jersey, listed in the report as “Worshipful Master”:
• Pedro Paulino
The report identifies Reinaldo Amaral Moreira and Pedro Paulino as matters of particular concern due to reported attempts connected to becoming regular Masons in New York and New Jersey.
Any Prince Hall Grand Lodge, regular Grand Lodge, lodge, appendant body, or Masonic authority receiving petitions, communications, visitation requests, recognition claims, affiliation requests, or membership inquiries connected to this matter should conduct careful verification before taking action.
This notice is especially important where an individual or group uses a name, title, seal, charter, patent, or claim of recognition that may cause confusion with regular Masonic authority.
Documentation, questions, or related reports may be sent to the Commission on Bogus Masonry at:
bogus@thephylaxis.org
This notice may be updated as additional documentation is reviewed.
If you would like to report a Bogus Masonic Organization or submit a testimonial on your experience as a Bogus Mason and why you became a regular mason email us at bogus@thephylaxis.org Every story told will help tell what goes on in these organizations.
Copyright © 2021
Post Office Box 2212
Tacoma, WA 88999
President: Damajo Smith, FPS
Director: Joshua Feliciano, FPSH