A woman has been jailed after raising £34,000 for people affected by the Australian bushfires but only donating £10 to charity.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said that in 2020, Kerry Palin, 27 and of Rushden, Northamptonshire, started an “equestrian-themed online auction on Facebook” which she claimed was to raise money for charity.
The page exploded in popularity and garnered more than 7,000 members with 300 donating items to sell.
Once the bidding started and the items were sold, winners were told to send the money directly to Palin’s bank or Paypal, believing the money would subsequently be donated.
Palin instead spent the funds on an array of luxury items including a treadmill, hair extensions and a new rug, police said.
In an attempt to cover up this fraud, Palin sent the equivalent of about £2.50 to four different Australian charities and doctored screenshots to hide the true amounts.
Due to rising pressure and issues with her Paypal account “due to high activity” Palin ultimately contacted police herself and admitted to the misuse of the funds.
She later pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation, concealing criminal property and acquiring criminal property for which she was sentenced to 16 months at Peterborough Crown Court earlier this month.
Palin initially operated from her home in Peterborough, she has since moved to Northamptonshire.
Her partner, David Collins, 39, pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property, after parcels at their home were found in his name. He was given a conditional discharge.
PC Sam Dane, who investigated, said: “This was an appalling case of fraud where Palin not only deceived generous, kind-natured individuals, but deprived the wildlife victims of the wildfires of thousands of pounds in donations, which would have made a huge difference to their lives.
“Instead of helping the desperate victims of these horrific events, the money was spent on frivolous and unnecessary luxuries.
“I hope this goes to show how seriously we take these offences and I am glad justice has been done.
“I would urge anyone wanting to donate money to good causes to be vigilant and, if in doubt, consider giving directly to the charity itself.”