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GoFundMe repaid over $ 400,000 to 14,000 donors who thought they were helping a homeless veteran in Philadelphia – but then discovered that It was an alleged scam invented by a New Jersey couple.
GoFundMe Spokesperson, Bobby Whithorne Those who donated to the Johnny Bobbitt fund, created by Katelyn McClure and his boyfriend of the time, Mark D & # 39; Amico, were reimbursed .
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"All Donors Contributions to this GoFundMe campaign have been fully repaid," said Whithorne, adding that the fundraising organization cooperated with the forces of order as part of the investigation into the alleged scam. 19659007] Mr. Whithorne stated that misuse campaigns "constituted less than one-tenth of one percent" of all GoFundMe campaigns, but that such behavior was "unacceptable" and "had consequences".
"We have a zero tolerance policy for fraudulent behavior," he said. "In case of fraud, the donors are reimbursed and we collaborate with the forces of order to recover the money.
GOFUNDME SCAM? HOW A HOMELESS HOMELESS AND THE NEW JERSEY COUPLE SETS A SOB STORY SHEET
McClure, Amico and Bobbitt are the subject of charges of robbery by deception and conspiracy in order to commit a theft of Deception after officials said they falsely declared this in 2017 Bobbitt – who was homeless – gave McClure her last 20 dollars so she could have gasoline when she was stuck in Philadelphia.
The couple, who went to the authorities last month, created the GoFundMe account to raise funds for the homeless. veteran. Their story however began to collapse in August when Bobbitt sued the couple stating that they were using GoFundMe money as a "personal piggy bank." The couple would have used this money for luxury items and trips to the casino.
A CLEAN HOMEL INVOLVED
The investigators deliberately prevented the three donors from obtaining information "that would affect their judgment regarding the contribution sought to this funding effort," according to the criminal complaint.
Bobbitt had been released on bail earlier in the month. He was ordered to wear an electronic monitoring device and attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings three times a week, reported NJ.com.
Jennifer Earl, Fox News Fox News, and the Associated Press contributed to the writing of this report.
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