A Ukrainian-born Pennsylvania woman who raises money and collects critical supplies for her country as the Russia-Ukraine war rages – strongly advises others to make sure they know exactly who and where they are sending relief donations to. She has good reason to warn others: She was deceived while trying to do good. RUSSIA INVASES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES Lesya Jurgovsky, who has lived in the United States since 2004 and served in the U.S. military from 2009-2017, told Fox News Digital that she discovered that someone had created a fake Instagram account in her name. Under any circumstances, this would be very worrying – however there was an extra layer of deception. Lesya Jurgovsky appears with her husband, Michael (left) and their 9-year-old daughter, Anna. Someone played Lesya Jurgovsky on the internet – and now she’s talking openly about what happened. (Lesia Jurgowski) Jorgowski was raising money and collecting supplies for the people in her war-torn homeland. Whoever created the fake account was impersonating Jorgovsky in an attempt to receive donations directly from her loved ones, she said. Jorgowski said she suspected the money should have been withheld from anyone posing for it. “I do not feel protected on Facebook.” While Jorgovsky continues to raise money for Ukraine, she has decided to divert all her other fundraising efforts from social media, now that she has discovered the fraudulent account. “I do not feel protected on Facebook,” he said of raising money through the platform. UKRAINE BAKERY COLLECTED $ 150,000 FOR HOMELAND HELPS FAMILY ACCESS SECURITY IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR Fox News Digital contacted Meta, formerly known as Facebook, Inc., which also owns Instagram, for comment. Lesya Jurgovsky’s daughter, Anna, is helping with the fundraising efforts. (Lesia Jurgowski) Jorgovsky said she mentioned the fake Facebook and Instagram account, but has not yet received a response. While Jorgovsky was speaking to Fox News Digital, the fake account was still active. “My friends are still receiving weird messages from Instagram,” he said. “I never had an Instagram account.” Jurgovsky first noticed the fake account after her friends contacted her saying they had received strange messages from an account that used her name on Instagram. At first, these friends thought that Jurgovsky had created an Instagram page and that someone had hacked it. But “I never had an Instagram account,” Jurgovsky said. For all those who want to donate to relief efforts, Lesya Jurgovsky recommends either donating to people you know – or looking for a church that accepts donations on their behalf in Ukraine. (iStock) Jurgovsky moved there to the United States in 2004. During her service in the United States Army, from 2009 to 2017, she worked in vehicle maintenance. After that, she moved to Pittsburgh with her husband. With the war raging across her homeland, Jurgovky raised nearly $ 5,000 using the charity Facebook donation platform. He has also helped send money and supplies to Ukrainian orphanages and the country’s army. The need is great: The United Nations Children’s Fund says two million children have fled Ukraine since the Russian-led invasion began on February 24, Fox News reported on March 30. UNICEF also estimates that more than 2.5 million children have been displaced inside Ukraine. After discovering the fake account, Lesya Jorgovsky decided to move the money from the Facebook platform. In all, the UN believes that more than 4 million people have fled Ukraine during the conflict so far. In addition to money, Jurgovsky has sent first aid kits, water bags, sleeping bags, batteries and chargers. CONTRIBUTIONS EXCEED $ 12 MILLION TO SUPPORT FOX CORP RED CROSS IN UKRAINE After discovering the fake account, however, he decided to move all the money from Facebook. “My advice is to donate to people you know. If you do not know someone, go to a church.” Recently, Jurgovsky announced on Facebook that she was planning an in-person Easter egg painting event in collaboration with her local church. Half of the money raised from the membership fees will be used to support the people of Ukraine, he said. While she continues to use social media to help raise awareness, the money she raises for Ukrainians now goes directly to a bank account she controls. UKRAINIAN REFUGEES TO RECEIVE HELP FROM NON-PROFIT HUMANITARIAN AID FRANKLIN GRAHAM Fox News Digital contacted the Better Business Bureau for information on online fundraising and best practices. BBB’s Sandra Guile shared tips on how people can protect themselves when making online donations to charities or fundraisers. “Before you click the donate button, give only to groups you know personally or with whom you have connections,” Guile said. “Read everything you need to know about the fundraising organization and ask questions,” he advises. These questions include, he said, “Where does the money go? How will the funds be used?” Better Business Bureau’s Sandra Guile shared ways people can protect themselves when making donations to online fundraisers. “Only give to groups you know personally or with whom you have a relationship,” he advises. (iStock) Since the start of the war in Ukraine, the BBB has warned of possible fraud. Not only do fraudsters steal money from well-meaning people, but they also prevent money from reaching those who really need help. Those wishing to donate should visit Give.org for information on various relief programs, the BBB advises. The office also notes that it is important to do research even before making donations to established organizations. “We work around the clock to protect you, our donors and fundraisers, to ensure that all fundraising efforts are compliant.” The US crowdfunding platform GoFundMe, which has raised more than $ 50 million on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, said on its website that any fundraising related to Ukraine is being monitored to ensure that funds are delivered to the right recipients. “We also verify that sponsors and organizers comply with U.S. and international law, including global financial laws and regulations and evolving financial sanctions,” the company wrote. ROSARIES FOR UKRAINE ARE “INCREDIBLE” GIFT OF FAITH, PRAYER “We work around the clock to protect you, our donors and fundraisers, to ensure that all fundraising efforts comply with US laws and regulations and our international and Terms of Service,” GoFundMe wrote in Internet. Jurgovsky also advises everyone to be careful when it comes to online donations. CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION “My advice is to make donations to people you know,” he said. “If you do not know someone, go to a church. If he does not raise money, at least he will know where to send you.” “Also,” he said, “make sure the money goes to orphanages, military needs and refugees.” CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER Fox News’ Greg Norman contributed to this report.
