In Hemet, California, two people were arrested for allegedly soliciting money for a nonexistent child's funeral. Police were alerted by multiple drivers about the couple engaging in panhandling with signs claiming that a boy died in a car accident. Upon investigation, officers discovered that the child's image on their signs was taken from a 2011 Romanian news article about a boy who went missing. The duo faces charges including conspiracy and fraud, and were released on bail awaiting court appearances.
Using cameras, officers identified the car the two used to leave the area, "while counting the money they had collected," police said.
Through investigation, police said they learned the duo's story was fake; the child on the poster was from a 2011 Romanian news article.
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