Homeless man and couple ‘completely made up’ viral story that raised $400,000

Couple and homeless man charged with theft by deception and GoFundMe money will be refunded, prosecutor said

A feelgood tale of a homeless man using his last $20 to help a stranded New Jersey woman buy gas was actually a complete lie, manufactured to get strangers to donate more than $400,000 to help the down-and-out good Samaritan, a prosecutor has said.

The Burlington county prosecutor Scott Coffina announced criminal charges on Thursday against the couple who told the story to newspapers and television stations along with the homeless man who conspired with them to tell the story.