payitforward

It's getting harder to spot too. My older relative has trouble seeing the difference between the "American Firefighters Society" and the "Society of American Firefighters" (made these names up), but a bunch of them are scams just piggybacking on well-known names.

On Kickstarter, I'd expect more accountability given that people will either receive their rewards or not receive them. This is quite a bit easier to measure than funds going into a pot to "help" someone.

My point: I think it's easier to identify outright scams on Kickstarter than on GoFundMe. I don't necessarily know what site is more vulnerable to scams.

I think there is a meme running around: "You can now subsidize your cost of healthcare in the United States by starting a GoFundMe every time you visit the doctor."

But seriously, I agree with you. I'd guess there are groups creating crowdfunding campaigns on hot-button topics AND soliciting donations from both sides (pro-gun/anti-gun, red/blue), and like this case, most of the money falls off somewhere along the line to pay "consultants" and "meals/fundraising activities."

Not the mention the small-time scammers running campaigns for their not-so-sick child or cancer scare.

Kate McClure knew it was a fraud from the beginning. She texted her best friend that the backstory was a lie, and she was warned by her own mother that "people go to jail" for these sorts of things. Mark D'Amico also knew, given the tens of thousands of texts exchanged between the two.

The prosecution seems sympathetic to Bobbitt, despite charging him with the same crimes. I wonder if we'll see different plea deals come out of this. He does appear to have some mitigating factors (homelessness, desperation) whereas McClure and D'Amico made overt acts to fund their gambling and shopping habits.

The prosecution told the public that Bobbitt's subsequent lawsuit for the remaining funds was a total legal "miscalculation" on his part which sparked the criminal investigation. The media probably would have uncovered it too, given that the whole thing started when local reporters spotted Bobbitt panhandling again a mere four months after the $400,000 campaign ended. Bobbitt probably felt like he had no choice (other than coming clean about the scam in public).

At least GoFundMe is committed to providing refunds to all the people donated.