The FBI warned that “unscrupulous individuals” were contacting victims of the El Paso massacre, pretending to be “from the funeral home or medical examiner’s office” and demanding money.
Here’s what we know
While El Paso has been inundated with good Samaritans who donated so much blood to victims of the attack that some had to be turned away, others have apparently seen this tragedy as an opportunity to steal from those who are suffering.
“Beware of unscrupulous individuals who may be contacting victims of the #ElPasoShooting claiming to be from the funeral home or medical examiner’s office & asking them for money in exchange for arranging services for their loved ones,” the FBI field office in El Paso warned in a statement on Twitter on Tuesday. “It’s likely a scam.”
The FBI said, “If you receive such a call, please get as much information from the caller as possible, DO NOT give them any money, and contact the El Paso Police Department or FBI El Paso.”
The FBI also informed victims that all funeral arrangements were being managed through Operation H.O.P.E. El Paso, in an attempt to protect people from accidentally giving personal information to scammers.
This same message was also tweeted in Spanish. The massacre was perpetrated by a white supremacist who reportedly was worried about the number of Hispanics in Texas. When he was arrested, he told police that he was specifically targeting Mexicans. Of the 22 people killed, nine were Mexican-Americans and eight were Mexican citizens.