Crime & Safety
Woman Creates Fake GoFundMe Account For Homicide Victims: Police
A 32-year-old faces multiple charges for creating a fake GoFundMe account that was said to be for families of the triple homicide victims.
FROSTPROOF, FL — Authorities uncovered a GoFundMe scam set up by a 32-year-old woman who pretended to be collecting money for the families of the Frostproof triple homicide victims that occurred in July, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.
Police accused Frostproof resident, Amanda Brown, 32, of creating the account after a victim notified authorities on Aug. 10 about a GoFundMe account they got a message about on Facebook that appeared to be fraudulent and created by someone named "Amy Lynn."
Brown raised $11,915.00 in the account she named, "Polk County Triple Homicide, Family Expenses," according to authorities.
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Damion Tillman, 23, Keven Springfield, 30, and Brandon Rollins, 27, were the victims of a triple homicide that happened in a remote area in Frostproof near U.S. Highway 27 and Lake Streety in July, said the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
The victims' families told deputies they weren't aware of anyone setting up an account, and none of them knew anyone named Amy Lynn nor did they know Amanda Brown. Also, the families had not received any of the collections, said investigators.
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The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Brown was arrested on Wednesday for multiple charges including grand theft.
"This woman exploited family members of three young men who were brutally murdered," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "While they were grieving, she used their personal information to solicit complete strangers to donate money to a fake GoFundMe account. It doesn't get much lower than that. We are thrilled that GoFundMe is reimbursing all of the donated funds back to the generous donors who were swindled."
Authorities said Nate Packard with GoFundMe Inc. advised the institution will refund the fundraiser's donors.
Detectives said the funds were spent via in-store purchases at various locations in Frostproof, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Avon Park, Babson Park and Sebring.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Brown faces charges of grand theft, criminal uses of personal ID, misrepresentation of proceeds, fraud and fraudulently misrepresenting three homicide victims' families and collecting over $11,000 from GoFundMe on their behalf.
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