A fake fundraiser tried to profit from donations after a 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death on New Year's Eve.
The GoFundMe page was set up on January 1, the same day that news broke of the death of Harry Pitman on Primrose Hill.
Harry, from Tottenham, was with a group of friends waiting to watch London's New Year fireworks near the viewing platform when he was fatally stabbed just 20 minutes before the New Year countdown.
After his death, the Ham&High reported to Harry’s family that a GoFundMe page had been set up claiming to be in his memory.
His sister Tayla, 19, explained that it had “nothing to do” with the family and the Pitman family had tried reporting this to GoFundMe, but they “had no luck” in removing it.
After the Ham&High asked why it is still online, a GoFundMe spokesperson today (January 19) confirmed the page had been removed.
In their description, the bogus fundraisers calling themselves Salma and Chris claimed they “used to be neighbours with Harry Pitman and his family”.
They wrote: “Harry was such an amazing kid, always kind, helpful, smart, and with a constant smile on his face. He was always there for others when they needed help and had a strong sense of standing up for what’s right.”
The page claimed the organisers would do everything they could to “remove any financial concerns” the family had.
Just seven people donated, but it still managed to muster £192 – well short of its £3,000 target. One generous donor sent £72.
“All donations received will be given directly to Harry’s family,” the description said.
But according to the Pitman family, this was not the case.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: "Our Trust & Safety team has been carefully reviewing fundraisers related to Harry Pitman's murder.
“All funds were kept safe by GoFundMe while we waited for this fundraiser to provide proof of a connection to Harry's family. All donors will be refunded and the fundraiser has been removed."
A 16-year-old boy appeared at the Old Bailey on January 9 charged with the murder of Harry Pitman. A 17-year-old boy arrested on January 4 has been bailed.
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