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| Oscar Pistorius trial: Fraudsters cash in on athlete's financial woes | Oscar Pistorius trial: Fraudsters cash in on athlete's financial woes |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Fraudsters in South Africa are using the Oscar Pistorius trial to make a quick buck by fooling supporters of the athlete into donating money to cover his spiralling legal fees. | |
| The latest Internet scam involves a fake Facebook profile claiming to be that of Carl Pistorius, the athlete's older brother often seen in court, which solicits "financial support for the trial" from fans. | The latest Internet scam involves a fake Facebook profile claiming to be that of Carl Pistorius, the athlete's older brother often seen in court, which solicits "financial support for the trial" from fans. |
| The page, which also includes a photograph of Carl, added: "If you are interested in working actively with us in this direction, please do contact: Mrs Victoria Anderson at vicandersonl@hotmail.com." | The page, which also includes a photograph of Carl, added: "If you are interested in working actively with us in this direction, please do contact: Mrs Victoria Anderson at vicandersonl@hotmail.com." |
| The page's most recent wall post read: "Thank You all for the continued support and words of encouragement during this difficult time. Pray for Oscar." | The page's most recent wall post read: "Thank You all for the continued support and words of encouragement during this difficult time. Pray for Oscar." |
| Attempts to contact the purported Mrs Anderson were unsuscessful. | |
| Family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess told South Africa's Star newspaper fans wishing to make a donation were asked to meet in person in Pretoria, where the trial is taking place. | Family spokeswoman Anneliese Burgess told South Africa's Star newspaper fans wishing to make a donation were asked to meet in person in Pretoria, where the trial is taking place. |
| She warned fans against attending such meetings and confirmed Carl Pistorius doesn't have a Facebook page. | She warned fans against attending such meetings and confirmed Carl Pistorius doesn't have a Facebook page. |
| "The family has made it clear that anyone soliciting money on their behalf are doing so fraudulently," she added. "We will, once again, request Facebook to shut this profile down." | "The family has made it clear that anyone soliciting money on their behalf are doing so fraudulently," she added. "We will, once again, request Facebook to shut this profile down." |
| Back in March, Pistorius announced he was selling his mansion to cover the spiralling costs of his murder trial, which has now adjourned until 30 June as he undergoes a mental evaluation that could determine whether his state of mind played a part in the shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. | Back in March, Pistorius announced he was selling his mansion to cover the spiralling costs of his murder trial, which has now adjourned until 30 June as he undergoes a mental evaluation that could determine whether his state of mind played a part in the shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. |
| Last month, Dr Merryl Vorster, an expert witness for the defence, claimed Pistorius suffers from a generalised anxiety disorder. Her testimony raised the possibility that Pistorius could now claim diminished criminal responsibility for the shooting | Last month, Dr Merryl Vorster, an expert witness for the defence, claimed Pistorius suffers from a generalised anxiety disorder. Her testimony raised the possibility that Pistorius could now claim diminished criminal responsibility for the shooting |
| Pistorius was released on bail of one million rand (£73,000) in February last year. His finances have taken a hit after losing lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike, reportedly worth $2 million, sunglasses maker Oakley, and French designer Thierry Mugler. | Pistorius was released on bail of one million rand (£73,000) in February last year. His finances have taken a hit after losing lucrative sponsorship deals with Nike, reportedly worth $2 million, sunglasses maker Oakley, and French designer Thierry Mugler. |
| Oscar Pistorius is greeted by the "Support for Oscar" Facebook group members as he arrives at the Pretoria High Court If convicted of murder, which the athlete denies, Pistorius faces a mandatory life sentence which usually carries a minimum of 25 years in jail, though mitigation could reduce it in this case. If found guilty of the lesser charge of culpable homicide, he could face 15 years or a non-custodial sentence. |