Woman Posed as Newtown Victim’s Aunt in Fraud Scheme, F.B.I. Says

The woman, Nouel Alba, 37, claimed to be an aunt of a 6-year-old victim and used her Facebook account, telephone calls and text messages to solicit money for a “funeral fund,” according to a criminal complaint filed in Federal District Court in Connecticut.

When contacted by federal agents investigating fraud schemes related to the shootings in Newtown, Conn., law enforcement officials said Ms. Alba denied that she had posted any messages on Facebook soliciting donations.

“It is unconscionable to think that the families of the victims in Newtown, and a sympathetic community looking to provide them some sort of financial support and comfort, have become the targets of criminals,” said Kimberly K. Mertz, the special agent in charge of the New Haven division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Today’s arrest is a stern message that the F.B.I. will investigate and bring to justice those who perpetrate Internet fund-raising scams, especially those scams that exploit the most vulnerable in their time of shared sorrow.”

If convicted, Ms. Alba faces a maximum of five years in prison and $250,000 fine.

Ms. Alba, who was released on $50,000 bond at her arraignment on Thursday in Hartford, was represented by a federal public defender, Deirdre Murray, who did not immediately return a call.

Allegations against Ms. Alba were first reported by several news organizations.

The complaint cites a report that aired on Dec. 19 on the CNN program “Anderson Cooper 360,” in which Ms. Alba denied taking “any funds from anybody.”

Jeff Rossen on the “Today” show on NBC also reported on the case on Dec. 21. In his report, Mr. Rossen said that within hours of the shooting, someone started posing as the aunt of Noah Pozner, a 6-year-old boy killed at Newtown.

“All we know is 18 kids have been killed,” the person wrote. “Still no word on my nephew.”

According to the criminal complaint, the person posted on Facebook under the name Victorian Glam Fairys and used an account controlled by Ms. Alba.

A few days later, Victorian Glam Fairys posted a message asking for donations and included a PayPal account and bank information.

Noah’s uncle, Alexis Haller, told Mr. Rossen that the family was disgusted when they learned people might be trying to make money off the shootings.

“It’s trying to turn a profit on a horrible tragedy, on the death of kids, 6-year-old kids, 7-year-old kids,” Mr. Haller said. “And to me, that’s just a horrible thing to be doing.”

According to the complaint, Ms. Alba kept up her ruse even when she was contacted by potential donors, claiming via text message that she hugged President Obama when he visited Newtown and that she was an emotional wreck.

“Ima mess,” she wrote to one person. “Not looking forward to see that casket cause that is what will kill us all today. 11 gun shot in his little body.”

“The guilt we have,” she continued, “just keeps building up.”

View the original article here