(CBS 42) AUSTIN In South Austin, in a small apartment out of sight and out of mind, lives a Web site creator who is anonymously soliciting cash donations to stop an alleged unwanted abortion. The Web site (www.helpmybabylive.com) tells the story of a young couple who say, “….if we can’t raise $50,000 in the next three months, we’ll have to choose abortion. We don’t like it and we don’t like the nature of our appeal but it is what it is…”The site claims to have collected more than $13,000 towards their goal and displays a countdown counter indicating how many days are remaining before the couple has to make the difficult decision. There’s also a set of “…terms and conditions…” for potential donors to follow, stating in part: “…you do not, and will never, know who we are. You agree not to try to find out who we are...you agree to pay only through PayPal…(and)…not to hold InvisiHosting, LLC liable for any actions on our part. You agree that they are not responsible for any dissatisfaction that you may experience as a result of donations to us (and) you agree to forfeit $25,000 per violation of these terms…”
At first glance, it is impossible to tell if the Web site is real or a scam. Or, even if there is a pregnancy or possible pending abortion. That’s why CBS 42 Investigates decided to dig deeper.
What we discovered is this is all a hoax. No couple coping with these difficult decisions. No thousands of dollars in contributions. And no impending abortion within the next three months.
After tracking down the site’s creator, 25-year-old Matthew Schiros, he told us “…it’s a joke” designed to “…further the national debate…” about abortion in America…”
Keith Elkins - Reporting
Full Story: KEYE TV
Also: Video: CBS 42 Investigates, CBS 42 Investigates, Read Keith's Blog
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