Fund that says it is trying to raise £1.5m to prosecute the
parents of Madeleine McCann is investigated for being a 'scam'- Police believed to be investigating GoFundMe page which could be a scam
- Adam Cruz set up fundraising page to raise money to 'prosecute' McCanns
- Fund-raising page has attracted offers of £17,000 in just 24 hours
- But fears it is a scam prompted questions - and it has since been removed
- A source close to the McCanns say they don't respond to 'nuisance trolls'
By Emma Glanfield
Published 27 October 2016
A fundraising page set up to try and raise £1.5million in an attempt to 'prosecute' the parents of Madeleine McCann is being investigated over fears it is a scam. The GoFundMe page was set up in the last 72 hours and pledges to raise enough money to hire lawyers to build a case against Kate and Gerry, whose daughter went missing in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Supporters had pledged almost £18,000 to the cause, which was set up by Facebook user Adam Cruz, before concerns were raised that it could be a scam. One Facebook page has suggested it is not an authorised fundraising campaign and questioned where the cash was going. Kate and Gerry are not suspected of any wrongdoing in relation to their daughter's disappearance and have always vigorously denied neglecting her. Responding to the claims, a source close to the couple said: 'They don't respond to anything these nuisance trolls say or do. 'It just fuels it and gives them a sense of self importance.'
Clarence Mitchell, spokesperson for the family, added: 'There will be no comment at all from Kate and Gerry. ' Mr Cruz's set up the fundraising page on Tuesday evening and he had posted links to the GoFundMe page across social media. Administrators of one Facebook site dedicated to the McCann case claimed Mr Cruz's GoFundMe was not a legitimate website and questioned where the cash would be going. In a statement, they said: 'We do NOT endorse any post by Adam Cruz regarding a GoFundMe page against the McCanns and urge anyone who reads his plea to NOT donate to this. 'It has not been verified and our group has NO association with this fund or person. 'Adam only became a member today. There was nothing to say Adam is who he said he is, or indeed where any money would be going. ' 'We don't want our members to be out of pocket to someone who took it upon themselves to make a page and ask for money.'
In response, Mr Cruz wrote on his profile: 'This page blocked me for actively seeking justice for an innocent and defeceless (sic) child. 'I would strongly urge them to unblock me. 'As you can imagine, the high profile case that this is, lawyers from the UK would work with Portuguese and American Lawyers. We are currently in talks with British Lawyers. 'Please tap to donate.'
The GoFundPage was removed this morning after reports it was a scam. It is understood police are investigating.
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