'I didn't get any donations': Manager collects money on behalf of a grieving mother, then keeps all the cash for himself

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
May 28, 2023 1:00 PM EDT

Everyone knows a good ol' fashioned scam when they see one. "Take the money and run", is a scumbag's catch phrase, right? Usually scams involve some grifter making a quick buck on empty promises, weaponizing human emotions and taking advantage of every weakness before dipping out– just like your crummy manager at work! In this case, one woman, a bereaved mother grieving her daughter, was the prime target for her scammy manager.

The mother was financially struggling after dealing with the logistics of her daughter's passing, but found out months later that her manager scammed the entire office our of thousands in "donations" using her crisis as bait. This dirtbag thought he could get away with some quick cash, but may be facing legal action following OP's deep-dive on Reddit, getting advice from our favorite community of justice warriors. For the full story, scroll below to see how this mother's sadness was taken advantage of by her own boss. 

For more tales of entitlement that'll get you fired up, check out this story of how a librarian pwned a rude patron by unearthing $480 of ancient late fees after being screamed at on the phone. 

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  • 01
    Font - r/antiwork. Posted by u/throwawaymom-65 10 hours ago My manager collected donations for me but kept it all
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 02
    Font - This is a weird situation and idk if this is the sub for it but here is what happened. On monday i returned to the office for the first time since my daughter died. I was working part time from home but that was no longer sustainable. At lunch my coworker asked me how I was doing. I told her that I was struggling with everything including bills. She then says "I don't mean to pry and you can totally ignore this question but how long did the donations last?".
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 03
    Font - I told her I didn't get any donations? In fact, I paid out of pocket for everything and I had to cremate my daughter because it was cheaper. She goes on to tell me that after my daughter's accident our manager
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 04
    Font - announced that they would be taking donations to help me. I was honestly shocked and she could tell I had no idea what she was talking about so she pulled up her paypal donation. It was $200 for "To help "throwawaymom-65". She told me she knew a few other coworkers donated as well.
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 05
    Font - I went straight to HR and explained what happened. HR immediately shut me down and said she was sure the manager had sent me the funds and I must have been "grieving too much to notice". I told her I would have noticed even a dollar and showed her my paypal activity history going back before I lost my daughter. She then tells me
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 06
    Font - the manager left the office a month ago and it would be hard to prove. She then tells me sorry and leaves me sitting in her office. I'm shocked and angry because who steals from a deceased child? I know the money wasn't technically mine so I should just let it go but I'm disgusted. I don't know what to do or if I can do anything?
    via throwawaymom65
  • 07
    Font - Stevenstorm505 - 10 hr. ago Contact the cops and then contact a lawyer. That a hole just defrauded a bunch of your co-workers and robbed you of funds meant for you at an extremely difficult time. On a personal note, I'm very sorry about your daughter. I can't imagine how painful that is and I'm gutted that someone would use your tragedy and loss for their personal gain in such a despicable way. You didn't deserve to have that happen to you. Sending a big virtual hug your way.
    via Stevenstorm505
  • 08
    Font - PCouture - 5 hr. ago And or call the news. This is a good heartfelt piece they may pick up and help with donations. tra 1.9k Reply Share teamgaycrossfit. 4 hr. ago This would definitely make the company act fast. They'll happily defraud a grieving parent but would never put their reputation on the line.
    via PCouture
  • 09
    Font - thechinninator 4 hr. ago This is the most helpful bit. It will also help ensure the manager doesn't get away with it. Companies hate bad PR
    via thechinninator
  • 10
    Font - jftitan 3 hr. ago Yup... because the company is gonna be put on blast notice with the public. Wonder how I would write that headline "company manager steals donations, then leaves with the money..."
    via jftitan
  • 11
    Font - stOnermermaid - 2 hr. ago And if OP did an interview with the news and told them what happened when she went to HR, oh man people would go feral after them for this. I can't imagine what a cold b h dismisses something like this.
    via st0nermermaid
  • 12
    Rectangle - Gunga_Galunga06. 4 hr. ago Have your co workers contact Paypal too. They can permanently ban your old boss and potentially get the funds back to your co workers.
    via Gunga_Galunga06
  • 13
    Font - Successful-Money4995 4 hr. ago If the donations were collected online then it's fraud by electronic means, so it's the federal crime of wire fraud.
    via Successful-Money4995
  • 14
    Font - Klutzy_Art33333 hr. ago edited 1 hr. ago Don't forget that HR was in on it as well. Look at how she tried to change the subject and lie. People need to realize HR isn't there to help you, but the company or whoever they're sleeping with.
    via Klutzy_Art3333
  • 15
    Rectangle - MrTulaJitt 41 min. ago Yeah HR immediately starts trying to cover for the former manager. It's like being a soulless human being is a prerequisite for working in that department.
    via MrTulaJitt
  • 16
    Hair - dragonborne123 . 3 hr. ago The dismissal from HR is waving red flags in my head too.
    via Dragonborne123
  • 17
    Font - chainmailbill 6 hr. ago Legally speaking, OP wasn't robbed, or defrauded, or anything like that. The co-workers were the ones who were defrauded and stolen from.
    via Chainmailbill
  • 18
    Font - thechinninator 4 hr. ago Legally speaking, OP wasn't robbed, or defrauded Technically correct. OP was embezzled from.
    via thechinninator
  • 19
    Human body - Tiny EmergencyCake - 3 hr. ago Lawyer first then cops on their advice
    via TinyEmergencyCake
  • 20
    Rectangle - slickginger 11 hr. ago I am sorry for your loss, i can't imagine how you're feeling. Absolutely call the police and get statements from your coworkers. Take that awful manager down!
    via slickginger
  • 21
    Font - throwawaymom-65 OP 7 hr. ago get statements from your coworkers. It's going to be the most awkward conversations but I think if I can have them screen shot their payment it should be enough?
    via throwawaymom-65
  • 22
    Font - HeadyBunkShwag. 7 hr. ago If I was one of your coworkers I would have no issue with you informing me my donation never reached you and that you are taking that manager down for stealing from us. Go ahead and let them know, it'll be okay
    via HeadyBunkShwag
  • 23
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boss antiwork scammer drama manager stealing donate mother gofundme work colleagues coworkers fund donations scams colleague loss grief grift workplace scam Reddit scam-artist mom grieving thief
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