I have been dubious of the viral Go Fund Me campaign for a homeless veteran that raised $400,000 last year and thus did not promote it on this site. Sure enough it was a fraud:
Kate McClure, Mark D’Amico, Johnny Bobbitt
Mr Bobbitt and the couple first came to prominence in November 2017 when Ms McClure launched a crowdfunding GoFundMe campaign, which, they said, was to re-pay the debt of a homeless man who came to her aid at the side of a road.
A photograph of Ms McClure and Mr Bobbitt, a veteran and drug addict who had lived on the streets for several years, standing on the side of the road, fronted the fundraising campaign.
More than 14,000 people donated, many inspired by the story’s details, such as Mr Bobbitt instructing Ms McClure to lock her car doors before he returned with a can of petrol.
Officials said on Thursday they believe the photo was staged after the three met previously when Ms McClure and Mr D’Amico visited a casino near an underpass where Mr Bobbitt spent time. [BBC]
You can read the rest at the link, but they would have gotten away with this fraud if it wasn’t for the fact that Bobbitt sued McClure and D’Amico for more money than what they had given him. This caused an investigation which led to the discovery of the fraud.
This fraud is exactly why I have never given any money to Go Fund Me and I am very particular on where I donate my money to. I recommend everyone else should do so as well.
