In a despicable act of deceit, heartless scammers exploited the grief of a mourning family during the funeral service of three-week-old Amanda-Leigh at Landican Cemetery, Wirral.
Chloe Goode, the devastated mother, found herself amidst a cruel ruse when she discovered that friends and family had been targeted by fraudulent means.
The scam unfolded as mourners received a Facebook link soliciting payment for a live stream of Amanda-Leigh’s service.
Shockingly, one individual who couldn’t attend the funeral found £113 drained from their account. Facebook swiftly removed the bogus link upon discovery, but the damage had already been inflicted.
Ms Goode, accompanied by her partner Tyler Pimblett, expressed her profound revulsion at the exploitation of her daughter’s memory. “It’s absolutely disgusting, so sickening,” she exclaimed, lamenting the use of Amanda-Leigh’s image on the fake post. The scammer, it seems, callously plucked the picture from a public Facebook post dedicated to Amanda-Leigh’s service.
Born prematurely at 37 weeks, Amanda-Leigh’s life was tragically short-lived, succumbing to illness just three weeks after her birth on February 13. In the face of this tragedy, a fundraising campaign was launched, amassing around £3,000 to alleviate the burden of funeral costs.
This collective effort ensured that Amanda-Leigh received a dignified farewell, her coffin transported by a horse and carriage, a poignant tribute to a life gone too soon.
However, the solemnity of the occasion was tainted by the discovery of the scam. As the cortege departed from the family home on April 2, mourners who had fallen victim to the deceit began to realize their loss.
Sue Porter of Susan C Porter Independent Funeral Directors expressed her horror upon learning of the scam, an unwelcome revelation amidst the solemn procession.
The Wirral Wings, a charitable organization supporting families facing infant loss, echoed the sentiment of disbelief and dismay. Describing the scam as “beyond sick,” they emphasized the immeasurable trauma inflicted upon the grieving family.
The betrayal of trust, coupled with the exploitation of their grief, is a wound that may never fully heal. In response to the incident, the Wirral Council assured the public that no one would ever be required to pay for a live stream from a service.
Efforts were made to rectify the financial losses incurred by the victims, with the family confirming that those affected have since been refunded.
A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Facebook, reiterated their commitment to combatting fraudulent activities on their platforms.
They emphasized the importance of community reporting and collaboration with law enforcement to swiftly address such egregious acts of deception.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this appalling scheme, one thing remains abundantly clear: the depths of human depravity have no bounds.
In a time meant for solace and remembrance, the callous actions of these scammers serve as a stark reminder of the vigilance required to protect against exploitation, even in moments of profound sorrow.
This article was created using automation and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
