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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Owen Scott

GoFundMe shut down for 81-year-old viral worker over ‘factual misrepresentations’

GoFundMe Donald Johnson
  • GoFundMe shut down a viral campaign for 81-year-old Donald Johnson after discovering the organizer used a fake identity.
  • The page was allegedly created by a concerned neighbor named Erin Howell, who was actually Johnson's daughter, Amy.
  • Amy admitted to inventing the neighbor persona, believing the fundraiser would resonate more if it came from a stranger.
  • GoFundMe refunded all donors, citing terms of service violations regarding factual misrepresentations.
  • Amy launched a new campaign on GiveSendGo that raised over $48,000 while maintaining that her mother's cancer diagnosis and her father's hard work are real.

IN FULL

GoFundMe shut down for 81-year-old man working to return lost luggage to fund wife’s cancer bills

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