Mother ‘sickened’ fraudsters set up charity campaign in Nicole’s name
By Maurice Garvey
TRAGIC Nicole Fox Fenlon’s mother Jackie Fox was ‘sickened’ this week to discover fraudsters were using her daughter’s image on a fake charity campaign.
The fake GoGetFunding page was created to look as if it was set up by Dublin GAA Fans Facebook page, and was called Nicole Fox Memorial Fund.
Jackie Fox holding a photo of her daughter Nicole, who tragically passed away last year
Neither Jackie Fox nor Dublin GAA Fans had anything to do with the fake page.
Both Jackie and Dublin GAA Fans reported the page to Facebook, and it was removed immediately.
The Echo understands a link for the fake page appeared on Facebook feeds late Sunday night and on Monday, potentially viewed by thousands of Dublin GAA Fans.
Friends of Jackie Fox also reported viewing the fake link on their own Facebook feeds.
In a statement, Dublin GAA Fans said they were “appalled” to hear a GoGetFunding page was set up in the name of Dublin GAA Fans to fundraise for Nicole Fox, using text they posted the previous night in support of the family.
“This page nor Nicole’s family have anything to do with this fake campaign. The campaign and the user were promptly removed after alerting the website.
“What kind of a lowlife uses a tragic story like Nicole’s to try and swindle money out of people.”
Jackie told The Echo she was “grateful Dublin GAA Fans acted straight away.”
“The page was using some guys image, when I saw it nobody had donated at that stage. There was even a link for it on the Coco’s Law page, which has thousands of people. It was taken down fairly quick but hopefully nobody donated.
“To do that is beyond words. I am sickened. Somebody trying to make money off someone else’s tragedy and Nicole.”
Nicole (21) was bullied to suicide 12 months ago but Jackie has campaigned tirelessly to bring in ‘Cocos Law’ and protect vulnerable people by making online bullying a crime.
Nicole is set to appear on leaflets with every new mobile phone bought through Eir from February 5 and Coco’s Law is currently making its way through the Oireachtas.
After marking the one-year anniversary of Nicole’s passing last weekend, Jackie said she has never looked for money and feels like she has to apologise to people for the fake page appearing online.
“What is sickening is not knowing who put this up, or if they will do it again,” said Jackie.
Dublin GAA Fans urged people to be vigilant of fake online fundraising campaigns.
