Halting crowdfunding scams, Attorney General says state will pay for Florida school shooting victims’ funerals
Mass shooting
“If you think you’re going to scam people during this tragedy, you’re not.”
Child Abuse
February 5, 2018
Parents convince young boy he’s dying from brain cancer to collect donations: Police
A Florida couple allegedly led their 13-year-old son to believe he was dying in order to solicit charitable donations from the local community for spurious medical expenses. The New York Post reports that Ginny Irovando Long, 34, and her husband, Robert Edward Long, 47, were charged with one count of child abuse and nine counts …
Child Abuse
January 23, 2018
Police warn GoFundMe accounts for the Turpin siblings are ‘scams’: There is only one legitimate fundraiser for the victims, police say
California authorities those wanting to donate to the 13 children rescued from the alleged “House of Horrors” that any GoFundMe accounts set up to take donations for the family are scams. ABC7 reports that California Child Protective Services received over a thousand calls from people wanting to help the 13 Turpin siblings who were removed from …
Scams
January 11, 2018
‘It was frightening’: Woman returns from vacation and finds another family living in her home
A California woman reportedly returned from a 10-day vacation to find complete strangers living in her new home. Katherine Lang told The Beaufort Gazette that went to check on her newly renovated Pigeon Point home on Sunday when she made the startling discovery. She recalled seeing a dog and cat walking around the home, a washing machine running, and dishes stowed away in …
Scams
December 6, 2017
VIDEO: Phony ASL interpreter who signed gibberish during Tampa serial killer press conference served prison time for scamming special needs kids
The well-known scammer, Derlyn Roberts, was previously arrested by the same agency who held the press conference
Scams
October 18, 2017
Woman stole credit cards and checkbooks from wildfire victims: Police
A Petaluma, California, woman was arrested Monday for allegedly stealing money from wildfire victims. According to the Petaluma Argus-Courier, police arrested Katie Lehnhard, 31, on suspicion of mail theft and fraud. Lehnard’s victims are reportedly evacuees from Santa Rosa fires who are in shelters in Petaluma. SFGate reported that a fire victim informed police of fraudulent charges made …
Scams
September 6, 2017
Ex-lawmaker steals $20M in ‘End of the World’ coin scheme
A former Tennessee legislator who stole $20 million dollars in a gold coin Ponzi scheme was sentenced to prison on Tuesday. The Commercial Appeal reports that Larry Bates, 73, will spend 21 years in federal prison and pay $20 million to various victims affected by his scam, which entailed selling and purchasing silver and gold coins. Bates’ …
Scams
August 25, 2017
NYC Pharmacist allegedly steals millions from Medicaid to afford plastic surgery, luxury items
A Manhattan pharmacist is facing charges for allegedly swindling Medicaid out of millions and spending the money on luxury goods and plastic surgery. Hin Wong, 49, a pharmacist and the owner of NY Pharmacy, is accused of offering kickbacks to patients and billing Medicaid for HIV medications that were never dispensed. In addition to criminal charges, authorities announced …
Scams
June 21, 2017
Warning: Police warns of new scam!
Police in Levelland Texas have issued a warning for residents to be on the lookout for scam artists knocking on doors saying they are with an alarm company, reports KLVT News. In a written statement, the Levelland Police Department warned residents about “a new trend from scammers,” reports EverythingLubbock.com. What is supposed to be a …
Elderly Abuse
June 16, 2017
HEARTLESS! ‘Obituary thieves’ invade elderly widow’s home while she attends husband’s funeral service
Thieves reportedly ransacked a California woman’s home as she attended the funeral for her husband of 66 years, according to CBS Los Angeles. Beverly Singer, 87, returned from the funeral home to find personal possessions, family heirlooms and jewels had all been stolen from the house she shared with Melvin Singer, her late husband. She believes …
Scams
April 17, 2017
Police: Man who pickpocketed 100 cellphones from Coachella attendees caught by ‘Find My iPhone’ app
A Queens, New York, man accused of stealing more than 100 cellphones from attendees at Coachella was reportedly caught after festivalgoers located their phones using their “Find My iPhone” application. The New York Post reported that Reinaldo De Jesus Henao, 36, is believed to have done most of his dirty work Friday night at the Sahara Tent. Indio …
