--- title: "Dirtbag Behind Homeless Man GoFundMe Scam Sentenced to Prison" description: "Mark D'Amico, one of several New Jersey grifters who conned thousands of good samaritans out of over $400k, has been sentenced to five years in jail." date: "2022-08-08" modified: "2022-08-08" authors: - name: "Maggie Harrison Dupré" job_title: "Senior Staff Writer" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/mharrison" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/gofundme-homeless-man-scam-prison" categories: - "Future Society" tags: - "gofundme" - "new jersey" - "online scams" - "the digest" --- # Dirtbag Behind Homeless Man GoFundMe Scam Sentenced to Prison ![Mark D'Amico, one of several New Jersey grifters who conned thousands of good samaritans out of over $400k, has been sentenced to five years in jail.]() *\Image: Getty Images/Futurism\* ## Paying It Forward Mark D'Amico, the ringleader of several New Jersey grifters who [conned thousands]() out of over $400,000, has officially been sentenced to five years in jail, [*Gizmodo* reports](). The tale [starts back in 2017](), when D'Amico and his then-girlfriend, Katelyn McClure, posted a GoFundMe campaign called "Paying It Forward." The former couple was hoping to raise $10,000 for Johnny Bobbitt Jr., a homeless veteran who allegedly used his last $20 to help McClure buy enough gas to get home. The campaign soon took off, with the couple raking in a cool $402,706 for the alleged roadside hero. The pair even made [national TV appearances]() once the story went viral. But there was one big problem: McClure was never stranded. The three had cooked up the bizarre Internet scheme together, and years later, it looks like their legal troubles are far from over. ## GoRefundMe The fraud started to unravel in 2018, when it was discovered that the couple had only shared $75,000 of the earnings with Bobbitt. Which, you know, doesn't exactly scream "paying it forward." As a result, Bobbitt [decided to take legal action]() against the pair, who had effectively taken most of the money to go on a massive [shopping and gambling spree](). D'Amico and McClure's shared home was raided by police, and the couple turned themselves in soon after. According to *Gizmodo*, all three of the swindlers have since pleaded guilty. Bobbitt, [sentenced back in 2019](), got five years of probation. McClure is due for her own sentencing in September, and faces potential jail time as well. Fortunately, GoFundMe also issued refunds to anyone who donated. **READ MORE:** *[GoFundMe Fraudster Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Homeless Man Scam]()* \[*Gizmodo*\] **More on Internet scams:** [*FBI Offers Huge Reward for "Cryptoqueen" Accused of Stealing $4 Billion*]() ## Author At Futurism, I've reported extensively on the rise of AI as a cultural and business force shaping the media industry, and more broadly how those dynamics are changing how we all consume and share information and relate to one another. I'm also fascinated by public health policy and ethics, the role of emerging tech in politics and governance — and the powerful people and forces at those intersections — climate change, and the environment. My investigation on Sports Illustrated's use of AI-generated authors with fictional biographies won a 2024 Mirror Award for "Best Story on Media Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism and the Media" from Syracuse University's SI Newhouse School, I contributed to Niemen Lab's 2025 Predictions for Journalism series, and I've discussed my work for Futurism during appearances on NPR, CNN, the BBC, the CBC, and more. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where I played Division I field hockey for the Minutewomen as a midfielder. Since then, I've lived in New Orleans, Louisiana and Manhattan, New York. I spend my free time running, reading, perusing archival fashion, and searching for the world’s best negroni. I also have a debonair tuxedo cat, Westley, who's named after "The Princess Bride." ### Author social links [Bluesky]()