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Scammers Horn In on Newtown Donations

Website set up in victim's name

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 20, 2012 2:01 AM CST

(Newser) – Just as they did after 9/11, Katrina, and the Aurora shooting, scammers are taking advantage of people's generosity in the wake of the Newtown massacre. A website in the name of Noah Pozner, a 6-year-old killed in the attacks, sought donations and cards for his family; it also contained gun control petitions. But his family didn't know those behind the website, the AP reports. Now, an uncle is urging police to track down "these despicable people."

"It's just the lowest kind of thievery," says a charity analyst. The family was alerted after a friend got an email soliciting donations from an unfamiliar address. Recipients were asked to text any questions to a New York City phone number. A reporter's text prompted a response directing donations to the United Way. The website NoahPozner.com has now been transferred to the Pozner family. When they emailed its original owner, identified as one Jason Martin, he said he meant "to somehow honor Noah and help promote a safer gun culture. I had no ill intentions I assure you."

A woman, right, reacts during burial services for Noah Pozner, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Monroe, Conn.
A woman, right, reacts during burial services for Noah Pozner, Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, in Monroe, Conn.   (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
793tango
Dec 20, 2012 9:53 AM CST
Totally predictable. Any way to make a fast buck. It's the American Way. I was wondering how long it would be before these creeps showed up, along with the conspiracy theorists. Less than a week. That's about right.
DougMasters
Dec 20, 2012 7:02 AM CST
If someone pointed these people out in a crowd, and said without a doubt, that was them. I'd whoop some A$s
rosarian
Dec 20, 2012 6:11 AM CST
This is why I don't give to any charity.
 

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