New Port Richey, Florida-- Families across the Bay Area who reached out for help this holiday season, say they were in for a cruel joke at the expense of their kids.
Angela Kern is among more than a dozen families contacted by 10 Connects who said she was the victim of a hoax on the website Craigslist.com that shattered her hopes of a good Christmas for her two children.
Kern, who says she was laid off from her job with Hilton reservations three months ago went onto the popular on-line classifieds website to hunt for inexpensive or even used toys to put under the tree from Christmas.
"I've always tried to do what I can for them, but this year it is slim," Kern said Wednesday night from her home in New Port Richey.
She says earlier in the month, she stumbled across an ad from a person named "Derrick" looking to adopt 10 families for the holidays.
"About two weeks later, I got an e-mail saying you were one of the families chosen. What we need you to do is go on Wal-mart.com and make a wish list," Kern recalls.
She and a number of other Bay area families received the same e-mail, and continued corresponding with the seemingly good Samaritan who offered to purchase the entire wish list up to $500 or in some cases even $700 per family.
"Honestly it took a lot off my shoulders. We're dealing with bills and everything else and it was like maybe I'll be able to give my kids a good Christmas," Kern said.
Kern say the e-mailer provided specific instructions and told her she could pick the gifts up at an address in Tarpon Springs.
But when the eager families arrived at the office building to pick up the presents for their children, they discovered the entire offer was a hoax. In fact, office workers who say they knew nothing of the gift offer, were eventually forced to post a sign on the building's from door telling devastated parents they were victims of a Craigslist prank.
"I just broke down in tears," recalls Kern who also says the news arrived via e-mail sent by "Derrick." The email called those who thought they would be receiving gifts for their kids, "worthless parents," and instructed them to "get a life."
Rev. Julie Hanke of Holiday also ran across the Craigslist ad on-line and later found out the entire offer was a hoax.
"Derrick chose the families who were down and out the most," said Rev Hanke who runs a year round ministry assisting needy families.
"He chose the ones who had disabled children, or were disabled themselves."
Rev. Hanke is among those now scrambling to assist those families affected. She's already begun collecting new and used toys at her home so that some of the children will have gifts under their tree for Christmas.
"We hope to have everything together by the weekend, and have everyone over and have them pick up some things for their kids," Rev. Hanke said Wednesday night.
Join a live chat with local families about the hoax.
Those interested in helping provide gifts for the families affected by this hoax can contact the Hanke Rescue Ministry at (727) 242-CARE.
Beau Zimmer, 10 Connects news
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