Woman Accused of Scam Fundraising After Newtown Shooting

Bronx resident allegedly lied about being related to a victim
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 27, 2012 6:21 PM CST
Woman Accused of Scam Fundraising After Newtown Shooting
Candles line a sidewalk memorial in honor of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting victims, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012, in Newtown, Conn.   (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Scammers have been quick to exploit the tragedy in Newtown, and the FBI says it has arrested a Bronx woman for just that. Agents busted 37-year-old Nouel Alba today and accused her of pretending to be related to one of the young victims and seeking donations for the family via PayPal, reports the Hartford Courant. She also is charged with lying to a federal agent during questioning.

Alba reportedly went on Facebook after the attack and presented herself as the aunt of one of the kids. She also claimed to have traveled to Newtown. In one text exchange with a donor, she was asked whether she was watching the president speak, reports NBC Connecticut. "No im sitting in my car. Emotionally I cant (sic) deal. with it right now ..tomorrow ill see (redacted) in a casket and that will be hard enough to handle." (More Sandy Hook Elementary School stories.)

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