Fallen Soldier’s Picture Used in Craigslist Scam
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KATU/ABC News(PENSACOLA, Fla.) — An Oregon father was angered to find an image of his son, a fallen soldier, posted on Craigslist as part of a scam to collect money for a fictitious wounded soldier.
“It’s disheartening. This just seems to be really low to take someone’s reputation and memory and tarnish it to make money,” said Dr. Craig Fennerty.
His son, Sgt. Sean Fennerty, died in Iraq in 2007 after being hit by a roadside bomb. A photo from Fennerty’s obituary was lifted and used in the posting on the Pensacola, Fla., Craigslist website.
The ad, which Fennerty said was removed Monday, claimed the man pictured smiling in a helmet and fatigues was Chris Fennery, a soldier who had lost both legs and needed help paying his medical bills. A link was provided to a donation site and readers were encouraged to share the posting on Facebook and Twitter.
Fennerty said he was made aware of the photograph after a local newspaper investigated the scam and someone who knew his son recognized the picture.
He said he contacted Craigslist but received no response or apology.
“It sure took a curiously long time [to take it down],” Fennerty said. “I want [Sean] remembered for what he did, which was honorable and patriotic. Now his memory is somewhat attached to a financial scam and there’s an element of anger.”
Craigslist confirmed to ABC News the post had been removed.
No arrests have been made and it could not be immediately determined how much money was collected by the fraudulent site.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio