Con artists publicized a fund to assist the widow and children of terror victim Rabbi Nechemia Lavie HY”D, who was killed in a terror attack in Jerusalem’s Old City during Sukkos. According to a report from Kipah News, the fraudulent campaign was launched on the Jewcer website, and thousands of dollars were donated in the belief the funds would assist the bereaved family members.
The word was spread on Facebook that the fundraising effort was a scam and the funds were not going to assist the family. Mr. Elkana Bar-Eitan, a brother-in-law of Rav Lavie explained that he received word from Australia that the widow, Neta, was receiving money from the campaign. He explains the fundraising effort is fraudulent and claims the campaign enjoys the approval of the family are lies.
The con artists did not hesitate to display a photo of Rabbi Lavie to help the fundraising effort along with photos of the body wrapped in a tallis at the levaya. Before the family became aware of the scam, the campaign raised $6,000.
Family members fear there may be other such fraudulent efforts and that innocent well-intending people will give money to con artists in the belief they are assisting the terror-stricken family.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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4 Responses
Be vigilant when giving Tzedakah
One should be weary of all uncommon Tzeddakah organizations.
How LOW can a person FALL?!!!
It is not clear that there were con-artists. Yad Ezra VeShulamit who did the campaign are a legitimate organization. There were some technical issues which made Jewcer take down the campaign.
It is important to get the facts right, even if it compromises the sensational news impact.