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Author Topic: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam  (Read 1144 times)

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Offline Matthew

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Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
« on: January 02, 2022, 04:14:58 PM »
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    Regarding the recent topic with a gofundme link for funeral expenses of a friend's parents --

    The friend, the youngest son who is "about 20" has parents who, according to the gofundme page, married in 1968.  It is possible, although unlikely, that a woman old enough to marry in 1968 had a son 20 years ago.  Even if she married as a teen, she would have been in her late 40s at the birth.  Of course, there are possible explanations.  Maybe he is older than 20.  Maybe he is adopted.

    But it was weird enough that I did a search on the names of the parents.  I could not find a death notice, obituary, or funeral announcement for these people. You may wish to investigate.  Again, there are possible explanations, but you might want to ask "John Felton" just how well he knows this friend and how sure he is that this is legit.

    FWIW, the exact same post appeared on Suscipe Domine.

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    Offline Matthew

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #1 on: January 02, 2022, 04:16:09 PM »
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    • Pending an explanation, the thread has been removed. CathInfo won't participate in any funding scams. Trads aren't made of money. There are plenty of good causes and no shortage of destinations for our charitable donations.

    I hope no CathInfo members fell for it. I wish it had come to my attention sooner.
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    Offline 2Vermont

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #2 on: January 02, 2022, 04:32:58 PM »
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    • My gut told me to steer clear of that post. It's probably because I am so cynical of just about everything these days.
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    For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)

    Offline Matthew

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #3 on: January 02, 2022, 04:38:35 PM »
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    • Quote from: 2Vermont on January 02, 2022, 04:32:58 PM
    My gut told me to steer clear of that post. It's probably because I am so cynical of just about everything these days.

    We all need to listen to our guts and common sense more often.

    When something sounds like a bad soap opera plot, you need to be skeptical. My sister had a "cousin-in-law" that was a compulsive liar. She must have watched too many soap operas, because her whole life was a big soap opera. She was freeloading off my sister & husband for lodging and food. She kept promising payment after she got some kind of court settlement. Then on the fateful day of her court hearing, while driving to court, her lawyer got into a car accident and one of his children was killed... What's next? A long-lost relative? A mysterious twin? Give me a break!

    This "cousin" was just one lie after another like that. Eventually they turned her out -- but she made their lives hell for many, many months.

    Moral of the story: Trad Catholics, who are GOOD, often fall for scams because "to the pure, everything is pure". We can't imagine lying to someone, so we trust everyone. Nevermind that everyone isn't as honest as we are. The thought of evil is so foreign to us, we have a hard time imputing it to anyone.
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    Offline 2Vermont

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #4 on: January 02, 2022, 04:44:57 PM »
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    • Quote from: Matthew on January 02, 2022, 04:38:35 PM
    We all need to listen to our guts and common sense more often.

    When something sounds like a bad soap opera plot, you need to be skeptical. My sister had a "cousin-in-law" that was a compulsive liar. She must have watched too many soap operas, because her whole life was a big soap opera. She was freeloading off my sister & husband for lodging and food. She kept promising payment after she got some kind of court settlement. Then on the fateful day of her court hearing, while driving to court, her lawyer got into a car accident and one of his children was killed... What's next? A long-lost relative? A mysterious twin? Give me a break!

    This "cousin" was just one lie after another like that. Eventually they turned her out -- but she made their lives hell for many, many months.

    Moral of the story: Trad Catholics, who are GOOD, often fall for scams because "to the pure, everything is pure". We can't imagine lying to someone, so we trust everyone. Nevermind that everyone isn't as honest as we are. The thought of evil is so foreign to us, we have a hard time imputing it to anyone.
    I think with this particular case they were also looking to tug at our consciences..ie. that we would think it wrong NOT to help out.   
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    For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect. (Matthew 24:24)

    Offline Anne Evergreen

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #5 on: January 03, 2022, 10:05:28 PM »
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    • That's too bad. I didn't (and wouldn't give any money), but gave tips on how to save money on a funeral instead. (All things I have learned from a variety of experiences). The OP already had my radar up with something else, and the fact that the wording was a bit weird told me there was something up. Living in CA, and married for that length of time and not having the means to bury yourself? Not buying it. If you can afford to live in CA, you can afford to bury yourself, period.  

    If anyone did give money and it turned out to be a fraud, then they can ask for a refund seems to me. Or ask your credit card company to halt the charges.

    If this is a legit family, then why can't all the kids chip in and finance it and make payments over time? Something fishy...

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    "The world is thy ship, and not thy home."--The Little Flower

    Offline Thorn

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #6 on: January 11, 2022, 10:20:33 PM »
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    • If anyone thinks that if you live in CA that they're rolling in money, you need to get out more & research more!  People that live here  - if they bought a house in the 50's, 60's or 70's when they were reasonable, now have a house (because of inflation) worth much, much more & therefore have to pay much higher taxes.  If the only info you have on CA is because you visited a few times, you shouldn't be posting about CA.  Where's your proof that this is a scam?  Calling people scammers with no proof is unjust, a lie, and a sin.
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    Offline Anne Evergreen

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #7 on: January 11, 2022, 11:41:03 PM »
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    • Quote from: Thorn on January 11, 2022, 10:20:33 PM
    If anyone thinks that if you live in CA that they're rolling in money, you need to get out more & research more!  People that live here  - if they bought a house in the 50's, 60's or 70's when they were reasonable, now have a house (because of inflation) worth much, much more & therefore have to pay much higher taxes.  If the only info you have on CA is because you visited a few times, you shouldn't be posting about CA.  Where's your proof that this is a scam?  Calling people scammers with no proof is unjust, a lie, and a sin.
    This is getting so predictable. If this is a passive-aggressive post to me, just say so. It is quite obvious your post is directed primarily at me, as I was the only one commenting about the cost of living in CA. Dead give away.

    "...you shouldn't be posting about CA." There is no crime in doing so. I know the past and current cost of living. Ask me how I know, and I still would not tell you. But they are living and breathing human beings. 

    People that have any blogs or websites or Internet presence know that the amount of scammers on the Internet is rampant. It is wise for people to donate money to causes they know or can vet. If you know these people and wish to give, that is your choice to do so. There is no sin if I do not donate. There are many local struggling families here in Canada that also need money. I give locally unless I have met the person.

    Calling people pedophiles with no proof is also "unjust, a lie and a sin," and yet it does not stop a bunch of people from throwing that around either. 
    As it is said, "Charity begins at home." God bless, Anne.
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    "The world is thy ship, and not thy home."--The Little Flower

    Offline Thorn

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #8 on: January 12, 2022, 11:10:10 AM »
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    • Good Grief!  I didn't say it was a sin if you didn't donate.  I said that it's wrong to call someone a scammer without proof.   If you don't want to donate that's fine - don't donate.  I have no problem with that. I thought it was obvious who I directed the post to!!  I didn't donate either but I didn't announce it to the world. (which I now just did. oops) :laugh1:
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    Offline John Felton

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #9 on: January 12, 2022, 03:51:30 PM »
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    • It's alright, Anne is just going for a record 1000 posts in less than 1 month. 
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    Offline Nadir

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #10 on: January 12, 2022, 05:17:59 PM »
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    • Quote from: John Felton on January 12, 2022, 03:51:30 PM
    It's alright, Anne is just going for a record 1000 500 posts in less than 1 month.
    There, fixed it for you. It just feels like 1000. 
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    Offline trad123

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #11 on: January 12, 2022, 07:49:47 PM »
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    • The son's location is listed as Hayward, CA on the GoFundMe link.

    Oakland to Hayward, CA is only about 19 miles.


    The following obituary seems rather sparse, but I don't think it's a scam.


    Catholic Funeral & Cemetery Services of the Diocese of Oakland (CFCS)


    https://www.cfcsoakland.org/obituary/jesus-margarita-cristobal/


    Quote
    Memorial Service for Jesus & Margarita Cristobal.

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    2 Corinthians 4:3-4 

    And if our gospel be also hid, it is hid to them that are lost, In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of unbelievers, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine unto them.

    Offline Matthew

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    Re: Recent GoFundMe link was a scam
    « Reply #12 on: January 13, 2022, 12:44:00 AM »
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    • If you have charity money burning a hole in your pocket, there are PLENTY of zero-risk avenues to take that "mammon of iniquity" and buy yourself some everlasting dwellings with it:

    Have Masses said for the poor, recently departed, those at your chapel
    The poor at your chapel -- people you know
    Donate to Fr. Chazal's seminary that was recently destroyed by a typhoon
    Donate to Bp. Faure's seminary in France
    Donate to your local Traditional Catholic chapel, as long as they're not part of a large organization (like the SSPX) in the process of sinking and giving up the fight
    Donate to Bp. Zendejas who has set up many chapels, and is taking care of as many Catholics as he can, despite a severe shortage of helper priests willing and able to travel
    Donate to any good, holy, dedicated priests you know personally, locally, who are doing good work (i.e., God's work, laboring in the vineyard for souls).
    et cetera.
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