Only a crime if they explicitly solicited the payments. Just sending random spam and saying you are their grandson is not really a crime unless they used the grandson's name.
This absolutely would fall under fraud laws. There was clear intent to deceive. He knowingly sent them all a message claiming to be their grandson. Whether there was a solicitation for money or not it's a different issue.
He knowingly misrepresented fact to a large group. And the action of purchasing the list would count as very clear intent. The problem is getting enough proof for someone to care
9 Comments
guy@piefed.social · 8 pts · 250d
Even knowing this is fake my heart aches
idiomaddict@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 243d
I’d be a lot more forgiving if they sent thank you cards though
Gullible@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 251d
What crime would this be, in particular?
dontsayaword@piefed.social · 16 pts · 251d
Fraud
ThePantser@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 251d
Only a crime if they explicitly solicited the payments. Just sending random spam and saying you are their grandson is not really a crime unless they used the grandson's name.
mushroommunk@lemmy.today · 26 pts · 251d
This absolutely would fall under fraud laws. There was clear intent to deceive. He knowingly sent them all a message claiming to be their grandson. Whether there was a solicitation for money or not it's a different issue.
He knowingly misrepresented fact to a large group. And the action of purchasing the list would count as very clear intent. The problem is getting enough proof for someone to care
MagicAbyss@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 3 pts · 251d
This should be a crime 😭 Think of the innocent grandma's just being wholesome. Crime of being anti-wholesome.
lka1988@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 7 pts · 250d
It is, it's called "fraud".
nick_thomasson@discuss.tchncs.de · 6 pts · 251d
mech@feddit.org · 6 pts · 250d
of course the Germans have a word for it.
nick_thomasson@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 250d
umbrella@lemmy.ml · 3 pts · 251d