Halifax Search and Rescue has issued a warning about 'fraudulent individuals and organizations' impersonating them and soliciting donations via third-party platforms like GoFundMe, claiming to aid in the search for missing Pictou County children Lilly and Jack Sullivan. The organization clarified that it does not use such platforms for fundraising and receives its funding from municipal and provincial governments, with local fundraising efforts. This scamming activity is exploiting the high-profile missing persons case.
Scammers attempting to cash in on missing Sullivan kids case: SAR group
GoFundMe, Inc.HalifaxNova ScotiaPictou
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️
Halifax Search and Rescue has issued a warning about 'fraudulent individuals and organizations' impersonating them and soliciting donations via third-party platforms like GoFundMe, claiming to aid in the search for missing Pictou County children Lilly and Jack Sullivan. The organization clarified that it does not use such platforms for fundraising and receives its funding from municipal and provincial governments, with local fundraising efforts. This scamming activity is exploiting the high-profile missing persons case.
Trending- 1 May 2: Lilly and Jack Sullivan go missing.
- 2 Tuesday (June 3, 2025): Halifax Search and Rescue issued a warning about fraudulent fundraising.
- 3 Wednesday (June 4, 2025): Paul Service, chief director of Halifax Search and Rescue, was interviewed by CBC's Mainstreet Halifax.
- Public confusion and potential financial loss for individuals who donate to fraudulent campaigns
- Exploitation of a sensitive and high-profile missing persons case
- Halifax Search and Rescue needs to clarify its legitimate fundraising methods to the public
What: Scammers are impersonating Halifax Search and Rescue to solicit fraudulent donations online, falsely claiming to be raising money for the search of missing Pictou County children, Lilly and Jack Sullivan.
When: Warning issued Tuesday (June 3, 2025); Interview with Paul Service Wednesday (June 4, 2025); Children missing since May 2.
Where: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Pictou County, Nova Scotia; Ontario; United States (origin of some scams).
Why: Scammers are attempting to profit from the high public interest and media attention surrounding the missing children's case, exploiting public sympathy and the urgency of the search.
How: Scammers are creating online fundraisers on platforms like GoFundMe and sending direct messages, falsely listing Halifax Search and Rescue as a beneficiary or claiming to be raising funds for specific search efforts like drone searches.