The masterminds behind the GoFundMe scam were charged with federal crimes after swindling about $400000 from well-wishers. Mark D’Amico and his then girlfriend Katelyn McClure claimed that they had started the fundraising account for homeless Marine Corps veteran, Johnny Bobbitt after he had helped McClure with his last $20 for gas in Philadelphia (Read, 2019). The couple started a GoFundMe account with the name “Paying it Forward”, which was purported to help in raising money to move Bobbitt from living in the streets. It became catchy on social media where about 14000 people contributed. However, the couple squandered all the money in Vegas and helicopter rider. Bobbitt sued the two after he realized he would not receive any of the money since it had all been wasted.
McClure and D’Amico acted unethically by using a homeless veteran to deceive thousands of willing well-wishers. However, the ethical dilemma in this situation is the fact that Bobbitt was also involved in the scam by concocting a story in which he helped a stranger with his last $20 (Read, 2019). He holds a claim in money that he actually helped steal. This situation is a clear example of egoism where an individual places all their self-interests above everything else. It is based on the notion of one’s self should be the motivation of every action taken regardless of moral judgment. McClure and D’Amico acted on self-interest by using Bobbitt as a claim to their cause. They used a large portion of the money raised through the GoFundMe account for lavish purchases such as cars and fancy trips without the moral conviction of the real purpose that money had been raised for. Regardless of the ethical dilemma involved, the couple still disregarded moral ethics by acting on self-interest.
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Reference
Read, R. (2019). Alleged mastermind of GoFundMe scam involving homeless veteran faces federal charges. Washington Examiner .
