A 20-year-old man is facing charges after he allegedly set up a fake public fundraiser in support of a crash victim.
In October 2022, a 17-year-old boy was tragically killed in a car crash on St. Mary's Road.
Days after his death, the 20-year-old created a campaign aimed at helping the grieving family with funeral costs through monetary donations, but had the funds routed to his own bank account.
In just one week, over 240 people donated, with over $11,600 being deposited into the suspect's account. The family did not receive any of the funds.
The Winnipeg Police Service Financial Crimes Unit was alerted, and an investigation started.
Investigators were able to identify the suspect, and on Feb. 25, 2025, he turned himself in.
The suspect and victims were not previously known to one another.
The 20-year-old Winnipeg man is now facing a long list of charges, including fraud over $5,000, laundering proceeds of crime and theft over $5,000.
He was released on an Undertaking as mandated by the Criminal Code.
Some of the affected donors have since been reimbursed.
Anyone with information regarding suspected fraudulent online donation activity can submit reports to their law enforcement agency as well as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.