It has accelerated our news cycle and increased the number of viral videos we see. You can find tons of sensations on the internet that were once everywhere but are slowly disappearing under many subsequent sensations.
Remember “Chocolate Rain?”
Or what about “Chewbacca Lady?”
Another viral tale that you may recall is a story in which an elderly man from Philadelphia donated $20 of his own money to help homeless people who were stranded along the Philadelphia side roads. The story of kindness among strangers was a sensation. One of the characters, who had been homeless, found himself in desperate need of help. Katelyn McClure and Mark D’Amico said they came across homeless veteran Johnny Bobbit Jr. when they were in a moment of need and he didn’t hesitate to help them. The encounter became an instant media hit after they shared it on social media. McClure and D’Amico set up a GoFundMe page on behalf of Bobbit Jr. and pledged to use any money raised to get him back on his feet. The two raised nearly $400,000. They appeared on numerous radio and television shows including Good Morning America.
There was just one problem…they made up the entire thing.
Bobbit Jr., one of the partners in crime who he was scamming himself too, ended everything. According to the veteran, he received only $70 000 of the total GoFundMe funds. They were charged with theft and Bobbit Jr. was given a special probation of five years. He must also attend a drug rehabilitation program. D’Amico was ordered to pay restitution and received a five year sentence. He currently serves his sentence in New Jersey Prison.
McClure was sentenced this week to one and a half years in prison, plus three year probation. Her lessened plight may have been aided by the recordings she made of D’Amico verbally abusing her and threatening her to keep quiet about the scam.
If you haven’t caught up on this case, you should. It’s more than just a hoax. A shady relationship, pride, or loose lips led to the end of this conniving pair.
America was at least entertained for fifteen minutes.
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