It was a story that pulled on our heartstrings and was reported by scores of news outlets.
A homeless man who gave a young woman $20 to get petrol for her broken down car was then ‘paid forward’ with a GoFundMe campaign by the woman and her partner which raised over $400,000 for him.
Except it didn’t end there.
Now, homeless man, Johnny Bobbit Jr and the couple, Kate McClure and Mark D’Amico, who seemingly helped him get back on his financial feet, are now facing charges for making the whole story up.
US news channel NBC10 has obtained information though a source which alleges the trio are now facing charges including conspiracy and theft by deception.
Investigators say the couple hid elements of their fundraising page in order to conceal information "that would affect their judgment about solicited contribution to that fundraising effort."
The source says the couple turned themselves in to authorities yesterday. It is not clear if Bobbit has himself also turned himself in.
The story originally gained popularity after the large amount of money was raised, however trouble struck when the couple allegedly stole some of the funds for their personal use and were later sued by Bobbit.
There were 14,000 contributors to the GoFundMe campaign who will likely now be feeling ripped off.
Lawyers representing the three have issued no comment.
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