The Real Question Regarding This Homeless Donation Scam

As a person raising money myself on GoFundMe for my documentary about homelessness, I've follow such a story with extra concern.

But actually, my curiosity isn't so much with the alleged ruse and shopping spree. It's with why Americans gave so much money to this cause. What I mean is: If you're compelled to give, great. But once you see the campaign had raised tens of thousands of dollars, why did thousands more people follow suit to the tune of $400,000!

We know a huge sum of money in hands unfamiliar with such wealth is often a bad outcome. But the psychology of giving seems to be that people dismiss the practical in favor of the desire to help. So they give to fulfill that desire, even if reason would suggest it a bad idea.

I actually may address this point in my documentary, because I think it affects the homeless crisis. People see the need for help, but they give in ways that are sometimes counter-productive.

As far as this story goes, the couple is being drug through the media mud. But though the story of running out of gas seems to have been a lie, they did know and seemed to want to help this homeless guy. So they started this fundraiser. They didn't know it would go viral. When it did, I'm guessing that's when they justified their cut by thinking, "Well, we've still raised $100K for our homeless friend." In other words, they may not have gone into it thinking of the riches they'd swindle. They became swindlers when the money overwhelmed them.

At least that's what I'd like to think.