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The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office is warning people not to fall for fraud schemes in the aftermath of the EF1 tornado that tore through Laguna Heights on May 13 leaving one dead and 11 injured.
In a news release, the DA’s office said it has received reports of unknown individuals taking advantage of the tragedy to fraudulently conduct two well known types of charity drives:
>> GoFundme pages that claim to benefit the victims but instead funnel the funds to “bad actors.”
>> Food plate sales that promise to donate the funds raised to the victims but are pocketed instead.
The release warns that:
1. It is a third-degree felony to, with the intent to harm or defraud, operate a web page using another’s persona without their consent.
2. It is also a crime to be entrusted with money in a manner inconsistent with the basis for being trusted with that money. Punishment for this offense is based on the amount of money involved.
3. It is a Class A Misdemeanor to make a materially false or misleading statement of fact concerning the reason for, or existence of, an amount of a price of a good or service.
“As such, it is so very important, to call the police at 911 or my office at (956) 544-0849 if you believe someone is engaging in this type of conduct,” District Attorney Luis V. Saenz stated in the release.
“I want to thank the good people that brought these issues to light. In contrast to them, the bad actors are not only taking advantage of those in need, but they are taking advantage of our goodhearted neighbors that are trying to help. What they are doing is wrong, unchristian, and illegal,” the DA stated.
