Make-a- Wish Scam

[Meehowski]

Make-A-Wish scam reported

BY MAYRA FLORES

Times staff writer

Internet users be warned. The Laredo Police Department are advising users of ongoing online scams in the guise of soliciting donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Police said Internet thieves are posing as officials from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to ask for donations through the use of chain letters.

A fraudulent e-mail claims that "a 7-year-old girl named Amy Bruce, who is suffering from a brain tumor and lung cancer, will receive seven cents from the Make-A-Wish Foundation each time her letter is forwarded via e-mail."

Another e-mail claims that "in 1989, a then 9-year-old boy named Craig Shergold wanted to be recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records for receiving the most greeting cards. His wish was fulfilled in 1990 after receiving more than 16 million cards."

According to officials from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, these requests are completely false.

"We do not solicit any donations through the use of the Internet, via telephone or chain letters," said Tammy Shaklee, executive director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

"We remain active with charitable foundations, but those are not the methods in doing so," Shaklee added.

Variations of the chain letters include names such as Jeff DeLeon, Rhyan Desquetado, LaNisha Jackson, Nikisha Johnson, Jessie Anderson, and Anthony Hebrank among others.

Laredo Police Public Information officer Juan Rivera said the Laredo Police has been notified of this matter.

"It is not a crime to send chain letters, however, the person originating the letter and receiving the funds can be charged with fraud," Rivera said.

Anyone receiving these types of e-mails can call the Make-A-Wish Laredo-based office at 712-WISH.

(Times Staff Writer Mayra Flores can be reached at 728-2582 or by email at [email protected])

http://www.lmtonline.com/news/s11.htm

[Shawn]

I'm pretty cheap, and to add on, I'm dirt poor.

We do give to any charity that asks though, and I get pretty pissed seeing people run a scam that's directly representing an actual charity. I bet their donations go down this year through no fault of their own.

[rainbowdemon]

I used to be a paid employee of The Salvation Army. Drove a truck. So I know a real charity from a b.s. one. This scam is almost believable. But not quite.