FAKE: Family of Van Viet Truong Warns Public Over Unauthorised GoFundMe
Quick Summary
• Family member warns public against unauthorised GoFundMe fundraiser for funeral expenses.
• Family has not set up any donation fund and does not authorize anyone to solicit donations.
• Family asks public to remain vigilant and refrain from donating or sharing the fundraiser until they make an official announcement.
The family of slain Sunshine grocer Van Viet Truong has issued a warning to the community —after an unauthorised GoFundMe campaign seeking donations for his funeral expenses began circulating online.
“Currently, our family is aware of a fundraiser on GoFundMe that is being shared, calling on people to donate to help with funeral expenses and family”, said family member Kim Dang.
“Our family would like to confirm we have not set up any donation fund, are not calling for donations and do not authorise anyone to donate on our behalf”.
The family have asked that everyone remain vigilant and temporarily refrain from donating or sharing the fundraiser until they have made an official announcement.
“We are only posting this announcement because we do not want anyone to accidentally transfer money to a fund that has not been officially confirmed by our family”.
The warning –comes as the Sunshine community continues to mourn Mr Truong –who died after allegedly intervening to help another retail worker during an incident in Sunshine.
The campaign, organised by unauthorised fundraiser William Wong —had raised $13,035 towards a $40,000 target before it was suspended. Wong acknowledged that he was not related to Mr Truong. He later said he had spoken with the family and decided to close the campaign and issue full refunds to donors.
In its warning, the family stressed that the decision to speak publicly was intended to protect members of the community from accidentally transferring money to a fundraiser that had not been officially approved.
The family said that if an official donation or fundraising arrangement is established in the future, it will communicate the details directly to the public. Until then, community members are being asked not to contribute to or promote any fundraising page claiming to represent the family.
The situation has prompted renewed concern about the risks of unauthorised online fundraising, particularly following a tragedy that has generated significant sympathy and support from the local community.
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: “It is not uncommon for compassionate Australians to launch fundraisers on behalf of others, often as an act of kindness, during times of crisis or distress.
“All donations are safely held by our payment processors until the GoFundMe Trust & Safety Team is able to complete our standard checks to ensure that funds can be transferred safely to the intended beneficiary.
“In cases where the family does not wish to receive the donations, GoFundMe will proactively refund all donors”. (NQ)
