The scheme unraveled when Bobbitt accused both D'Amico and McClure of stealing the majority of the money raised on GoFundMe.
The trio went viral and made appearances on national television, where they shared their gratitude for Bobbitt's act of kindness - which never happened - and for the giving spirit shown by those hoping to lift the veteran up. The fake story tapped into the generosity of the public in a major way, garnering donations from more than 14,000 people who rallied to get Bobbitt off the street. The crowdfunding campaign initially had a goal of raising $10,000 to support Bobbitt. The campaign, titled "Paying It Forward," included a picture of McClure and Bobbitt on the side of the highway and another picture of the three of them together at a gas station. In November 2017, the trio created a GoFundMe campaign that shared a sentimental story about how Bobbitt gave McClure his last $20 when she ran out of gas in Philadelphia on the shoulder of I-95 near the Girard Avenue exit.
Mark D'Amico, 42, of Burlington County, was the mastermind behind the 2017 scheme devised with co-conspirators Katelyn McClure, his ex-girlfriend, and homeless military veteran Johnny Bobbitt Jr.
The ringleader of an infamous GoFundMe scam that netted $400,000 based on a made-up, feel-good story of holiday kindness pleaded guilty on Monday to a federal wire fraud charge.
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