Current Event #6 - Public GoFundMe Fraud

Recently a couple in New Jersey started a GoFundMe for a homeless man, except that this wasn’t for a good cause like it seemed. This whole thing had started on a lie and proceeded to be completely fake. Kate McClure made up a story about how Mr. Bobbitt gave her his last twenty dollars for gas. She said she “wanted to give back” and made a GoFundMe for him which raised $402,706. Apparently, all of the money was spent. Over $100,000 was being used for Casino play, but only 20,000 was actually spent on casino play. In March the couple exchanged texts about how they only had $10,000 dollars left. After a couple of months, Mr. Bobbitt sued the couple claiming they kept it for themselves. The couple and homeless man are now being charged with conspiracy and theft.
I know things like this don’t happen very often but when it does it's very disappointing. In this case, Mr. Bobbitt was an actual homeless man and the couple set this up for themselves. Knowing that some people just pulled some stunt like this to get money all for themselves just to spend carelessly disgruntles me. They definitely deserve what is coming their way, as they are currently being charged with second-degree conspiracy and theft. Luckily GoFundMe is giving back the money that was stolen back to the donators. “Use caution and common sense when donating.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/15/nyregion/homeless-man-couple-gofundme-scam.html

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