Thousands of leaflets have been distributed to request money and support for Occupy Exeter – but the anti-greed protesters know nothing about them.

Matt Lepley, 32, is posting 5,000 photocopied sheets around homes and small businesses in Exeter. He is part of Support Occupy Exeter – a group he says backs the aims of the protesters who camped on Cathedral Green for three months before they were evicted this week.

Mr Lepley's leaflet includes bank account details of a "friend's" account. He said any money contributed would be "guaranteed" to reach Occupy Exeter.

But yesterday, Occupy Exeter said they had never heard of Mr Lepley or his group, and advised people not to donate.

Ghee Bowman, of the Occupy Exeter media team, said he shared Mr Lepley's sentiments, but said the bank account seemed "a bit dubious". And Stephen Bench, who has camped with Occupy since the beginning, said he knew nothing of the leaflet, and advised people not to donate.

Mr Bench, 24, said Mr Lepley "sounds like a top bloke", and welcomed his support. But the student, who is temporarily back at his flat in Plymouth while the protesters regroup, said: "I don't know him, and I'd advise anyone not to pay money into the account of someone they don't know."

He said well-wishers could give money to Occupy in person.

Mr Lepley, meanwhile, told the Western Morning News that he has never camped with Occupy Exeter and has only attended one meeting. But he said he classes himself as a supporter, and said he had informed one member of the group of his fund-raising intentions, and had expected the information to be fed back.

"I suppose I was a bit impulsive, but I had some money from an accident compensation payout, and I wanted to use it to help," he said of his printed leaflets.

The leaflet asks for protesters to join the Occupy movement, as well as for food, water, toilet facilities, electricity and land to occupy. It also appeals for an "Occupy bus", and for bed and breakfast for a night, in exchange for education on the movement.

The letter contains strong criticism of Exeter Cathedral, which won an eviction order on Tuesday against protesters who had set up the camp in November.

Mr Lepley earns £5,000 a year as a smallholder and forester, and used money from an accident insurance payout to fund the leaflet.

It reads: "Perhaps the Church of England's clergy are mistaken in thinking that the Kingdom of God can only be found within their extensive lands in this country? To all supporters of greed we say: Jesus occupies your rotten hearts."

Mr Lepley later said he "regretted" using such strong language, but said he was "angry" that the Cathedral had evicted campers in the depths of winter.