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      Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors

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      LFCexiled
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      Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Nov 21, 2011 10:06:26 am
      I despair, I really do.




       Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving Liverpool families and survivors


      HILLSBOROUGH disaster families and survivors were conned by internet imposters as part of a sick scam, the Liverpool ECHO can reveal.






      A cruel web of lies was used to try to hoodwink those affected by the 1989 tragedy.

      In a plot of scarcely- believable intricacies, characters were invented, a will faked, and a bogus funeral order of service drawn up.
      Well-intentioned Liverpool fans, still traumatised by the Sheffield football disaster, spent months counselling supposedly genuine victims.
      Merseyside Police have vowed to probe the alleged scam once reports are made to their hi-tech crime unit.
      Our investigation has exposed how the fakers:
       
      • ‘mocked up’ a convincing inheritance will that appeared to promise £250,000 for charity Hope for Hillsborough, fronted by a mum whose son, 15, was crushed to death
      • pretended a Reds fan had plucked up the courage to attend his first football match this autumn since the match in Sheffield 22 years ago
      • insisted to Hillsborough campaigners their own loved ones had suddenly "died" from cancer
      • cultivated "romantic" online relationships with the sister of one of the Hillsborough victims, based on the lie he himself was a Hillsborough survivor.
      Anne Williams, who lost teenage son Kevin in the Leppings Lane crushes, was one of those duped.
      Today, she told the ECHO: "I thought these people were genuine. Now I think, how could they be so cruel?
      "Many survivors of Hillsborough helped them, or him or her, and gave their time and emotions."
      The scam began when a Facebook user named ‘Sean O’Connor’ befriended Amanda Tootle, sister of Peter, who died at Hillsborough.
      Claiming that his supposed brother ‘Max O’Connor’ was a survivor of the tragedy, the two became close and often chatted online.
      Suddenly, as the pair planned to meet in person, news came through online that Sean had unexpectedly died.
      That led to ‘Max’ starting to chat with Hillsborough survivor John Herbert about the sad legacy of April 15, 1989.
      He described how he had lost his leg while serving in the Army, but he considered the football semi-final tragedy a "far worse experience".
      Another Facebook user ‘Zoe’ was then introduced into the equation, the supposed sister of Max and Sean.
      Eyebrows were raised after Max informed Anne Williams that his cancer-stricken brother had set aside £250,000 for the mum’s campaign.
      The ECHO has been shown a copy of the document, written in convincing legalese by the fraudsters.
      They had clearly done their homework, with mention of an executor, the charity number and governance tax.
      Initially, Mrs Williams was delighted and speculated how the money could easily fund her push for a judicial review into Kevin’s death.
      By this stage, however, friends of the Formby mum were growing suspicious and began to monitor the Facebook users behind the scam – potentially one and the same person.
      Liverpool fan Julie Brannigan said: "I was starting to smell a rat.
      "I told a pal, ‘You watch, something tragic will happen to Max soon.’
      "Since then, a group of us have done a huge amount of research on these people.
      "They seem to be professional trollers."Internet trolling involves people hiding behind the anonymity of the internet to intrude into others’ grief.
      ‘Max’ started to talk of his plan to attend the derby match at Goodison at the start of October.
      It would be his first game since the tragedy, 22 years ago, having stayed away from football because of the mental scars.
      Well-meaning friends on Facebook wished him well, and anxiously waited for news the next day.
      Sure enough, ‘Max’ came online afterwards, ecstatically proclaiming: "Had a GREAT day today, bit of a panic in the morning, but I did it!
      "Very proud of myself, took lots of photographs, if I can get them off my camera, Anne, would you mind if I shared them with the group?
      "YNWA all."
      Friends were delighted for him, responding: "Proud of you, Max!’ and ‘Well Done, Max..Knew you'd make it :) YNWA x’
      But days later, the plot was to change again as ‘Zoe O’Connor’ informed his followers that ‘Max’ had himself died from cancer.
      Some were taken in by the lie, commenting, ‘This is so poignant.
      "I'm just pleased that he got to go to the match yesterday. RIP’
      But others had seen enough and publicly accused the fraudsters who were suddenly now on the back foot.
      By this stage, the ‘trollers’ were on a rescue mission to save their scam, insisting the characters were real.
      "But, the lie had been exposed and Facebook was informed as some Hillsborough survivors prepared to inform police.
      Another Facebook user emailed a supposed order of service from Max’s ‘funeral’ in a very rudimentary A4 paper ‘mock-up’.
      The ECHO has followed developments for the past six weeks and raised the problem with both Facebook and Merseyside Police.
      We have a dossier of evidence and witnesses which can be passed to officials when requested.
      Police told us they had power to pursue the Hillsborough impersonators and asked for those duped to report any allegations.
      John Herbert, 45, from Litherland, who survived the Hillsborough crushes, described how he felt ‘cheated’ by the scammers.
      He said: "I shared some personal stuff with Max about the tragedy as he seemed to be genuine.
      He was telling me how he was ‘up’ one day and ‘down’ the next. He said he’d served in Afghanistan, but Hillsborough was worse.
      "I got suspicious at the end as I would never be speaking to ‘Zoe’ and ‘Max’ online at the same time, it was always just one.
      "Now, since they’ve been exposed, they’ve disappeared and their accounts have been disabled."
      When the ECHO contacted a mobile phone number for one of those suspected of being involved, she said: "I don’t know anything about this."
      Pressed further, she eventually admitted knowing some of the impersonators online, but ended the call.
      The mum even tried to pin the blame on another Facebook user, an innocent party, known as a genuine fan who works in Anfield.
      A LIVERPOOL MP today called on Facebook to review its security procedures to prevent trollers from flourishing.
      Walton’s Steve Rotheram is also considering contacting the Attorney General.
      Facebook said they have reporting facilities throughout their pages.
      A spokeswoman said: “Be careful who you add as a friend, just like you would do in real life.
      “These type of people who act disingenuously could do the same to a person in a pub or cafe.
      “If we look at a profile and it is evidently not a person’s real name, it will be removed.
      “Trolling and impersonation existed before Facebook came along.
      “If an allegation is reported we have a team of reviewers who look at this and make a judgement to establish if a rule has been broken.”
      But Mr Rotheram believes there is a need for a Private Members Bill and wants more stringent rules to stop Facebook ‘fakers.’
      He said: “There should be mechanism to expose and identify these people.
      “I’m not legally trained in this area, but on early inspection, it looks to be a minefield.
      “Perpetrators need to be brought to book – it’s not just abuse against Hillsborough it’s every kind of tragedy or loss.
      “Somehow, they think it’s acceptable to abuse people electronically, rather than face-to-face.
      “I’m a target myself. Because of my campaigning for Hillsborough, I get some offensive emails.
      “Ironically, social networking like Twitter was integral in making sure we got the 100,000 e-petition signatures to secure the Parliament debate. But aside from those benefits there are these sick individuals who set up bogus accounts to upset people.ANNE Williams, 59, told the ECHO: "Max, who said he had survived Hillsborough, emailed me to say Sean had died.
      "Everyone was helping Max and he said his brother had left money for the charity in a will. He asked me: "Do you know how much it is?"
      "I presumed Sean must have thought a lot of Max to leave so much money for a group that had helped him.
      "Before the derby, everyone from Hope for Hillsborough wished him luck and said they’d be thinking of him.
      "I even went to the cathedral and lit two candles in memory of my son Kevin and Sean, Max’s brother.
      "I was excited the cash could have supported a judicial review for Kevin many times over as they cost around £43,000.
      "Then, a few weeks later, it emerged they were conmen. How could they do something like that? It’s just so cruel. I’ve sent messages to this Max on evenings when he’s been on a ‘downer.’ I’m upset for how they’ve abused other people, not the money promised being a lie."
      Amanda Tootle, lost her brother Peter, 21, in the disaster.
      The Anfield mum-of-three met ‘Sean’ online and soon developed a strong bond with him, due to his brother ‘Max’s’ own Hillsborough experience.
      Amanda said: "I got friendly with Sean and he kept saying he was coming up to Liverpool.
      "After his supposed death I was helping Max through what I knew from losing my brother. It makes me feel sick.
      "It’s really upsetting."
      POLICE said today they remained committed to catching internet offenders.
      Many victims Liverpool fans who were conned are yet to alert Merseyside Police about the behaviour.
      They said they felt officers would be powerless or not interested to deal with the allegations.
      But Merseyside Police insisted they DID have powers to hunt down those responsible.
      Detective Inspector Mark Tivendale, from the hi-tech crime unit, said: "Although 'trolling' is a new phenomenon on the internet there is existing legislation in place which gives the police power to take action.
      "The Malicious Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send improper messages that are either grossly offensive or indecent, obscene or menacing in character.
      "It also covers persistent messages intended to cause annoyance, inconvenience or anxiety.
      "The offence is committed at the point it is sent so it does not even have to reach the intended recipient, and it can be reported by anyone who is grossly offended by it, not necessarily just the intended target.
      "A second power we have is the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which allows us to arrest someone suspected of behaviour that a reasonable person would consider to be harassment.
      "Under both acts, anyone guilty of an offence can be jailed for up to six months and fined, leaving them with a criminal record which will stay with them for life. "
      "At the Hi-Tech Crime Unit, whenever a complaint or allegation is made to the police about unpleasant online behaviour, we use our specialists to secure the evidence then pass it to the investigation team to use in their case.
      "It is a complex and lengthy process, often involving the use of lots of different legislation and enquiries having to be made overseas, but ultimately if we have evidence of a crime taking place, we will do what is necessary to trace those responsible.
      "Individuals who target people grieving the loss of a loved by making comments online that constitute a criminal offence will be dealt with in the same way as if they had made them in any other public place."
      Trolling reared its ugly head recently after the tragedy of Georgia Varley, 16, who died after falling under a train at St James station. Sick trollers bombarded social network sites with unsavoury messages about the Wirral teenager.
      Some were too disgusting to be printed in a newspaper.
      Initially, Merseyside Police stated there would be no investigation against the abuse as there was ‘no victim of harassment’.
      However, when her devastated friends and family contacted the force to complain about the messages an enquiry was launched.


      Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/hillsborough/hillsborough-news/2011/11/21/exclusive-sick-hillsborough-facebook-imposters-target-grieving-liverpool-families-and-survivors-the-echo-investigates-100252-29811210/5/#ixzz1eKfw79s4
      [/c]


      I hope they catch and shame these fuckers I really do.  :f_steam:
      Reprobate
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #1: Nov 21, 2011 12:15:30 pm
      Beyond words, really. Just sick,
      HUYTON RED
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #2: Nov 21, 2011 12:26:05 pm
      Absolute cu*ts.
      fields of anny rd
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #3: Nov 21, 2011 01:02:03 pm
      Horrible tw*ts.
      stuey
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #4: Nov 21, 2011 01:16:46 pm
      The sick bas**rds should be locked up, cu*ts like that shouldn't be loose.
      Dave70
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #5: Nov 21, 2011 01:44:42 pm
      What sort of a sick, pathetic, b***ard do you have to be to carry out something like that?

      Hope those responsible are caught and their names and faces are plastered everywhere, for all to see.
      shabbadoo
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #6: Nov 21, 2011 01:46:39 pm
      Horrible,horrible,horrible.
      dunlop liddell shankly
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #7: Nov 21, 2011 02:32:54 pm
      cu*ts
      andylfcynwa
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #8: Nov 21, 2011 03:10:38 pm
      It really proves the point that there are some  seriously sick bas**rds walking around in todays society, i would string the bas**rds up and no fcking joking , at the very least i would birch the fckers on a sunday morning in the town square.
      Roddenberry
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #9: Nov 21, 2011 03:29:11 pm
      Words fail me.
      stuey
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #10: Nov 21, 2011 04:45:39 pm
      The cu*ts can be traced can't they? Hopefully get a F***ing good kicking.
      Keith Singleton
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #11: Nov 21, 2011 04:53:50 pm
      The sick bas**rds should be locked up, cu*ts like that shouldn't be loose.

      Locking them up isn't good enough. shoot the cu*ts.  >:(
      corballyred
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #12: Nov 21, 2011 05:20:54 pm
      F**k me it is scary to think there is people this vile around. Id bring back hanging for cases like this
      KateMKD_Red
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #13: Nov 21, 2011 06:02:53 pm
      Sometimes, I just can't believe how sick some people can be. Unbelievable.
      LFCexiled
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #14: Nov 21, 2011 06:03:58 pm
      The cu*ts can be traced can't they? Hopefully get a F***ing good kicking.

      There are ways to hide your IP address and avoid getting traced but I would bet a fortune that the idiots(s) who done this will not have thought of let alone had the nous to do it so I'd fully expect the police to catch them and expose them.
      stuey
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #15: Nov 21, 2011 06:08:04 pm
      There are ways to hide your IP address and avoid getting traced but I would bet a fortune that the idiots(s) who done this will not have thought of let alone had the nous to do it so I'd fully expect the police to catch them and expose them.
      Here's hoping mate.
      BigAndy9
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #16: Nov 21, 2011 06:16:15 pm
      The cu*ts can be traced can't they? Hopefully get a f**king good kicking.

      i'd happily do it myself. cu*ts
      HUYTON RED
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #17: Nov 21, 2011 06:22:32 pm
      There are ways to hide your IP address and avoid getting traced but I would bet a fortune that the idiots(s) who done this will not have thought of let alone had the nous to do it so I'd fully expect the police to catch them and expose them.

      I'd rather a few bad lads got hold of them personally, do what the police can't, make the cu*ts suffer, won't be doing that kind of sh*t again.
      MsGerrard
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #18: Nov 21, 2011 06:35:06 pm
      Absolutely despicable thing to do, they should be ashamed of themselves, as if these people haven't suffered enough. I despair  :mad:
      lfc_ynwa
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #19: Nov 21, 2011 06:58:45 pm
      What sick, twist animal would do such a cruel, vile and inhuman thing.

      It's the complexty and the cogitation that someone would actually do this sickens me.

      The grief that she must be going through, along with the emotional rollercoaster of her great and loyal campaign for the truth makes it all the more sickening and unpleasant.

      That conman has absolutely no moral principles. He is the degeneration of such a despicable act.

      I can't believe someone who do that.

      Hope someone beats the F***ing sh*t out of him !
      Tayls
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #20: Nov 21, 2011 07:10:23 pm
      Referred to as a scam, but what exactly were these foul cu*ts hoping to gain from this? I don't see any con or benefit for them, unless they are sick fucks who enjoy reveling in the misery of others.

      Sometimes I think it might be time to start attacking these 'trollers' through the internet they hide behind. Something needs to be done to teach these a lesson.
      RedPuppy
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #21: Nov 21, 2011 08:42:43 pm
      Some people really are sick fuckers.

      They will be caught, as all posts leave a trail.

      AussieRed
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #22: Nov 21, 2011 11:29:26 pm
      F***ing cu*ts.

      Hope Karma is a real bi*ch to these pricks.
      Semple
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #23: Nov 22, 2011 01:07:06 am
      Saw this in the Echo today. No words can describe my disgust.
      Reslivo
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #24: Nov 22, 2011 01:56:28 am
      PGlynn91
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #25: Nov 22, 2011 02:37:45 am
      Incredible how heartless some people are in this world.
      stuey
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #26: Nov 22, 2011 10:01:25 am
      It's no coincidence that when these F***ing creatures are dug out they are sad, pathetic, irrelevant and completely expendable, an accurate mad dog comparison - we all know the mad dog solution.
      hardcoresoldier
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #27: Nov 22, 2011 10:42:12 am
      I will pray that they die for this. Scum!.
      brilad
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #28: Nov 22, 2011 07:10:34 pm
      Utter cu*ts,hammers and pliers should be used on these tw*ts every hour for a week,again utter cu*ts,how the F**k could you sleep at night?
      billythered
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #29: Nov 22, 2011 07:36:29 pm
      Fester and die you KUNTS !!
      red trooper
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #30: Nov 23, 2011 10:22:01 pm
      Really thought i'd heard everything ! i can't call these bas**rds people because people have limits they will go to and not beyond ! put them in public stocks, flog their backs raw and then brand then bas**rds on their foreheads !to let everyone know just what has been done and by whom !.....F***ing despair i really do !
      stephenmc9
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #31: Nov 25, 2011 01:17:00 am
      I have Ann as a friend on Facebook she was saying there was a few bad grapes on facebook messing about.I did not no it was to that extent sick fukkers hope they get whats coming.
      xBooniex
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #32: Nov 25, 2011 02:34:12 am
      This is so cruel and sick its unreal

      Hope karma gives them a good kicking
      CRK
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #33: Nov 29, 2011 06:40:28 am
      Absolutely disgusted with this. It's sickening how someone could stoop this low for what can only be for their own amusement.
      Billy1
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      Re: Sick Hillsborough Facebook imposters target grieving families and survivors
      Reply #34: Nov 30, 2011 07:15:21 am
       These basta*ds should be found and brought to justice,In fact they should be chained together by the ankles and thrown into the KOP before a match.Without a doubt they are totally sick in the head and need putting down for the benefit of mankind.

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