Crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe, Kickstarter and Indiegogo have been quite resourceful for many people starting and expanding their businesses, raising money for funerals and even realizing their dreams, including traveling the world. In 2012 there were more than a million successfully funded campaigns that raised $2.7 billion, according to research firm Massolution. They predict the numbers for 2013 will reach as high as $5 billion.
Some are well meaning and others are well, not so much. Take Renata Shamrakova, 28. She’s seeking financial aid to help with her legal fees on her GoFundMe microsite, Restitution for Renata. She’s accused of stealing $1 million from her former boss, a hedge fund manager who was married to Nicky Hilton, yes, Paris Hilton’s baby sister. Formerly a personal assistant to Todd Meister, Sharakova’s goal is a mandated restitution of $821,000 that she has to return to him.
Check out these other requests that make you go “hmm …”
