Scammers Target Charlie Kirk Tragedy

By Greg Collier
Authorities in Georgia are warning residents about a scam that has surfaced in the aftermath of the recent shooting of Charlie Kirk. Reports have circulated of fraudulent text messages being sent to cell phone users, claiming to be from Kirk’s wife, Erika, and urging people to donate in his honor. The messages are written in emotional language, suggesting that the movement Kirk built will grow stronger if people join in support, and they include a link for recipients to click.
Law enforcement in both Effingham County and Habersham County has confirmed that the messages are not legitimate. Officials have stressed that scammers are attempting to exploit a national tragedy for financial gain. They cautioned that clicking on the links may expose victims to identity theft, malware, or fraudulent financial schemes. Instead of helping Kirk’s family or continuing his mission, the messages are designed to deceive and manipulate those who are grieving or sympathetic.
Residents have been urged to delete the texts immediately and to report them to their carriers or local authorities. Officials also remind the public that legitimate fundraising efforts will never come through random text messages with suspicious links.
This is not an isolated tactic. Scammers are always looking to make money out of any tragedy, whether by pretending to raise funds for victims, impersonating family members, or setting up fake charities. After natural disasters such as hurricanes or wildfires, fraudulent charity websites often appear within hours, and after the deaths of public figures, fake memorial fundraisers frequently surface. The scam tied to Kirk’s death follows the same predictable pattern, using grief and confusion as tools to steal.
Authorities say awareness is the strongest defense, and anyone who receives such a message should recognize it for what it is, a calculated attempt to profit from pain.
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