http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4282378/Karen-Matthews-tried-dupe-McCanns-25-000.htmlEvil Karen Matthews 'tried to dupe Kate and Gerry McCann into handing over £25,000 from Madeleine's fund'
McCann believed Matthews' 9-year-old daughter Shannon had been kidnapped
Shannon disappeared in 2008, less than a year after Madeleine, was snatched
Man claiming to represent Matthews visited the McCann's home to demand cash
By RACHAEL BURFORD FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 22:59, 4 March 2017 | UPDATED: 23:31, 4 March 2017
The parents of missing Madeleine McCann were almost duped into handing over £25,000 from their charity to Karen Matthews.
Kate and Gerry McCann believed Matthews' 9-year-old daughter Shannon had been kidnapped and were planning to send money to the search effort in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.
Shannon disappeared in 2008, less than a year after Madeleine, three, was snatched from a holiday apartment in Portugal.
A source close to Mrs McCanns, 48, told The Sun: 'She was deeply upset by Shannon's abduction and felt sorry for the family. She wanted to help.'
A man claiming to represent Matthews even visited the McCann's home in Leicestershire to demand money.
But the demand was a rouse as Matthews had drugged her daughter and hidden her at the house of friend Michael Donovan.
Shannon was found by police in the base of a divan bed 24 days after she went missing.
It is believed the pair hatched the plan after they saw the McCann's raise more than £1million in the search for their daughter.
A spokesman for the McCann's said the trustees were tipped off when they contacted police about who they should make a cheque out to.
Clarence Mitchell told the Sun: 'Police advised us not to hand over money. We heard things had come to light in investigations.
'It is beyond belief anyone could've sought to exploit poor Madeleine's plight.'