Deceptive scam exploits a grieving family's tragedy
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Disclaimer: This article explicitly mentions child death, which some readers may find distressing. Discretion is advised.
In a world where the internet has become a lifeline for many, it's disheartening to see it being used to exploit the vulnerable.
The Steeper family from Kent, who tragically lost their nine-month-old son, Oliver, in a choking incident at a nursery, have recently discovered that their heartache is being used as a tool for online scamming.
Oliver Steeper's life was tragically cut short in September 2021 when he choked on food at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent.
In the wake of their loss, the Steepers established The Oliver Steeper Foundation, a charitable organisation aimed at preventing similar tragedies by supplying anti-choking devices to childcare settings.
However, the family's grief was compounded when they discovered that a scammer was using images of their late son to solicit donations online.
The image in question was a poignant one of Oliver taken during his hospitalisation before his untimely death.
'You never think this will happen to you, but then you see your photograph, which has so many vivid, heart-wrenching and painful memories,' Oliver's father, Lewis Steeper, said.
'Then you read it and see that someone is trying to use his picture to get people to give them money. It’s absolutely terrible.'
The Steepers have since issued a public warning, urging people not to donate any money to the fraudulent page.
They have also sought legal advice and contacted Kent Police regarding the matter.
The Oliver Steeper Foundation, despite the distressing incident, continues its mission to prevent choking incidents in childcare settings. To date, the foundation has successfully distributed 15 anti-choking devices.
The Steeper family's experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of online vigilance. Scammers often exploit emotional situations to manipulate people into donating their hard-earned money.
It's crucial to verify the legitimacy of any online fundraising campaign before making a donation.
To protect yourself from falling victim to such scams, it's important to remember the following:
This news comes after scammers have been discovered to use artificial intelligence (AI) to target unsuspecting parents and grandparents.
One couple, Fred and Kathy, believed they were genuinely speaking with their son, and quickly acted to help him.
The couple also shared how the scammer resorted to extreme measures to persuade them of the gravity of the situation, fabricating a story that the person involved in the accident was a pregnant woman who had miscarried.
However, it was later revealed that the couple had fallen victim to a scam that used AI to clone their son's voice.
You can read more about this scam here.
Have you or someone you know ever encountered a similar scam? Share your experiences with us in the comments below.
In a world where the internet has become a lifeline for many, it's disheartening to see it being used to exploit the vulnerable.
The Steeper family from Kent, who tragically lost their nine-month-old son, Oliver, in a choking incident at a nursery, have recently discovered that their heartache is being used as a tool for online scamming.
Oliver Steeper's life was tragically cut short in September 2021 when he choked on food at Jelly Beans Day Nursery in Ashford, Kent.
In the wake of their loss, the Steepers established The Oliver Steeper Foundation, a charitable organisation aimed at preventing similar tragedies by supplying anti-choking devices to childcare settings.
A foundation has been set up in the name of Oliver Steeper, a nine-month-old who died from choking. Image source: The Oliver Steeper Foundation.
However, the family's grief was compounded when they discovered that a scammer was using images of their late son to solicit donations online.
The image in question was a poignant one of Oliver taken during his hospitalisation before his untimely death.
'You never think this will happen to you, but then you see your photograph, which has so many vivid, heart-wrenching and painful memories,' Oliver's father, Lewis Steeper, said.
'Then you read it and see that someone is trying to use his picture to get people to give them money. It’s absolutely terrible.'
The Steepers have since issued a public warning, urging people not to donate any money to the fraudulent page.
They have also sought legal advice and contacted Kent Police regarding the matter.
The Oliver Steeper Foundation, despite the distressing incident, continues its mission to prevent choking incidents in childcare settings. To date, the foundation has successfully distributed 15 anti-choking devices.
The Steeper family's experience serves as a stark reminder of the importance of online vigilance. Scammers often exploit emotional situations to manipulate people into donating their hard-earned money.
It's crucial to verify the legitimacy of any online fundraising campaign before making a donation.
To protect yourself from falling victim to such scams, it's important to remember the following:
This news comes after scammers have been discovered to use artificial intelligence (AI) to target unsuspecting parents and grandparents.
One couple, Fred and Kathy, believed they were genuinely speaking with their son, and quickly acted to help him.
The couple also shared how the scammer resorted to extreme measures to persuade them of the gravity of the situation, fabricating a story that the person involved in the accident was a pregnant woman who had miscarried.
However, it was later revealed that the couple had fallen victim to a scam that used AI to clone their son's voice.
You can read more about this scam here.
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