‘It makes my blood boil’: How one woman fought back against an online scam
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Rebuilding after a personal tragedy is never easy, but the journey becomes even more difficult when that hardship is exploited for someone else’s gain.
In the wake of a devastating incident, one Western Australian woman found herself not only navigating loss, but also confronting a disturbing case of online deception.
What unfolded highlights both the resilience of community and the risks that can emerge in the digital age.
Alana Weatherly’s life was forever changed after a fire tore through her home in Northam, 95 kilometres east of Perth, on the night of 4 March.
For 25 years, she had lived in the house, but it was consumed by flames after an electrical fault sparked the blaze.
She and her partner managed to escape with their dogs and one of their cats, though they tragically lost another cat in the fire.
Ms Weatherly described the terrifying moment she woke up to the sound of the ceiling burning.
'I leapt up, called for the dogs and banged on the walls trying to wake up Jason telling him to get out of the house,' she said.
'I was standing on the other side of the road with a blanket around my shoulders screaming for Jason because he hadn't come out yet.'
Her partner had been inside searching for their missing cat and didn't escape until the roof in their bedroom collapsed.
'As he ran down the driveway I remember hearing the massive 'boom' of the stove blowing up, but I hadn't seen him yet so I was a complete mess,' she said.
The fire had completely gutted the house, but the support from her community gave Ms Weatherly the strength to begin picking up the pieces.
'My female friends came out of nowhere minutes after the fire started while we watched the house go up in flames, helping me get dressed and keep warm,' she said.
'We have had strangers donate everything from washing machines to clothes to furniture for when the time comes where we can move back into home.
'It has made the biggest impact, especially in the short term.'
The local Lions Club also helped her get back to work with a generous financial donation, enabling her to re-establish her business and earn an income again.
However, a month after the fire, Ms Weatherly was shocked to learn that fraudsters were using her tragic story to scam people.
A crowdfunding campaign had been set up with her name and details, but they had been altered.
'It makes my blood boil that someone was pretending to be me and stealing from good people,' she said.
'I was so bewildered that someone could use my story and twist parts for their own gain.’
'I feel bad for the people who thought they giving to someone in need, but it didn't go to the people who actually need it.'
The scam was only discovered when a Northam resident, who knew Ms Weatherly, recognised the fraudulent fundraiser.
Thankfully, thanks to her strong ties within the community, the campaign was quickly flagged as fake and shut down.
The fraudulent fundraiser had raised $105 before being closed, and Ms Weatherly filed a police report, although she was told there was little they could do about this alleged cybercrime.
A spokesperson from Consumer Protection warned that crowdfunding platforms carried risks for donors, especially when the campaign was not clearly legitimate.
'Consumer Protection urges caution on crowdfunding requests, as these may be fake and also come from scammers,' the spokesperson said.
'Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations.’
'If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead.'
The spokesperson also advised potential donors to carefully review the campaign details, ensuring they sounded realistic and were backed by clear explanations of how the money would be spent.
Ms Weatherly, who takes pride in her Noongar heritage, said that her connection to the land kept her grounded during the recovery process.
She visited her property every day, tending to the garden and sifting through the rubble, finding small but significant treasures amid the ashes.
'I have to look forward because that's where I'm going,' she said.
'I want to get back on land, my land.’
'It was my home and it will be my home again.’
'I'm damned if after all the work I have done building up my garden and orchard that I'll walk away from it.’
'Instead of dozing down the house I'm sifting through the rubble and I keep finding little things and they will forever be treasured and have new meaning now.'
Despite the challenges, Ms Weatherly was determined to rebuild her home where it once stood.
In a previous story, we highlighted another shocking case of online fraud targeting vulnerable individuals.
This time, it was a son who was left stunned after scammers exploited his mother’s situation.
To learn more about this heartbreaking scam, click here.
Despite the challenges, Alana Weatherly’s resilience shows the power of community and determination.
What’s the most unexpected act of kindness you’ve experienced during tough times? Share your story with us in the comments!
In the wake of a devastating incident, one Western Australian woman found herself not only navigating loss, but also confronting a disturbing case of online deception.
What unfolded highlights both the resilience of community and the risks that can emerge in the digital age.
Alana Weatherly’s life was forever changed after a fire tore through her home in Northam, 95 kilometres east of Perth, on the night of 4 March.
For 25 years, she had lived in the house, but it was consumed by flames after an electrical fault sparked the blaze.
She and her partner managed to escape with their dogs and one of their cats, though they tragically lost another cat in the fire.
Community rallies after devastating house fire in Northam. Image source: ABC Midwest/Wheatbelt: Eliza Bidstrup
Ms Weatherly described the terrifying moment she woke up to the sound of the ceiling burning.
'I leapt up, called for the dogs and banged on the walls trying to wake up Jason telling him to get out of the house,' she said.
'I was standing on the other side of the road with a blanket around my shoulders screaming for Jason because he hadn't come out yet.'
Her partner had been inside searching for their missing cat and didn't escape until the roof in their bedroom collapsed.
'As he ran down the driveway I remember hearing the massive 'boom' of the stove blowing up, but I hadn't seen him yet so I was a complete mess,' she said.
The fire had completely gutted the house, but the support from her community gave Ms Weatherly the strength to begin picking up the pieces.
'My female friends came out of nowhere minutes after the fire started while we watched the house go up in flames, helping me get dressed and keep warm,' she said.
'We have had strangers donate everything from washing machines to clothes to furniture for when the time comes where we can move back into home.
'It has made the biggest impact, especially in the short term.'
The local Lions Club also helped her get back to work with a generous financial donation, enabling her to re-establish her business and earn an income again.
However, a month after the fire, Ms Weatherly was shocked to learn that fraudsters were using her tragic story to scam people.
A crowdfunding campaign had been set up with her name and details, but they had been altered.
'It makes my blood boil that someone was pretending to be me and stealing from good people,' she said.
'I was so bewildered that someone could use my story and twist parts for their own gain.’
'I feel bad for the people who thought they giving to someone in need, but it didn't go to the people who actually need it.'
The scam was only discovered when a Northam resident, who knew Ms Weatherly, recognised the fraudulent fundraiser.
Thankfully, thanks to her strong ties within the community, the campaign was quickly flagged as fake and shut down.
The fraudulent fundraiser had raised $105 before being closed, and Ms Weatherly filed a police report, although she was told there was little they could do about this alleged cybercrime.
A spokesperson from Consumer Protection warned that crowdfunding platforms carried risks for donors, especially when the campaign was not clearly legitimate.
'Consumer Protection urges caution on crowdfunding requests, as these may be fake and also come from scammers,' the spokesperson said.
'Check the terms and conditions of funding platforms and ensure you are dealing with official organisations.’
'If you are unsure, make your donation to an established charity instead.'
The spokesperson also advised potential donors to carefully review the campaign details, ensuring they sounded realistic and were backed by clear explanations of how the money would be spent.
Ms Weatherly, who takes pride in her Noongar heritage, said that her connection to the land kept her grounded during the recovery process.
She visited her property every day, tending to the garden and sifting through the rubble, finding small but significant treasures amid the ashes.
'I have to look forward because that's where I'm going,' she said.
'I want to get back on land, my land.’
'It was my home and it will be my home again.’
'I'm damned if after all the work I have done building up my garden and orchard that I'll walk away from it.’
'Instead of dozing down the house I'm sifting through the rubble and I keep finding little things and they will forever be treasured and have new meaning now.'
Despite the challenges, Ms Weatherly was determined to rebuild her home where it once stood.
In a previous story, we highlighted another shocking case of online fraud targeting vulnerable individuals.
This time, it was a son who was left stunned after scammers exploited his mother’s situation.
To learn more about this heartbreaking scam, click here.
Despite the challenges, Alana Weatherly’s resilience shows the power of community and determination.
What’s the most unexpected act of kindness you’ve experienced during tough times? Share your story with us in the comments!
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