Alleged GoFundMe Fraud

The Real Kenyan Boys Choir Asks GoFundMe to Remove Fake Kenyan Boys Choir Campaign

Surprise, surprise, this one is a complete fraud.

“Joseph Muyale” writes on his GoFundMe plea for $500,000:

Hello Folks! My names are Joseph Inzai.I am the founder and artistic director of Kenyan sensation Boys group the Kenyan Boys Choir that performed for President in 2009 inauguration. I am raising funds so as we can build an outstanding music academy that will enable poor Kenyan boys and girls nurture their talents in music,art and dance, The Musical Arts Academy of Nairobi.Your support and contribution to the campaign will help change youths lives in Kenya since it will enable youth to focus and not to engage in vices that will destroy their future. Support the Choir.And help the young Boys of Kenya live their dream

That all sounds great (horrific English aside), except according to the verified Kenyan Boys Choir Twitter account, they have nothing to do with this scampaign and want it removed.

Kenyan Boys Choir Twitter

As of now, the fundraiser is still up. Here’s an archived copy in case GoFundMe gets around to pulling it.

Here’s a reasonable question, though. Instead of simply pulling it and making it disappear into the Internet abyss, why isn’t GoFundMe aggressively pursuing those who perpetuate fraud on their platform? Surely they have this person’s IP address at least? Deleting it doesn’t stop “Joseph Muyale” from starting up another scampaign. And another. And another.