Marimalek Accused of Fraud and Trademark Infringement in Fundraising Scandal
Written by Taiwo Paul on April 22, 2024
Marimalek, a figure involved in modeling industry controversies, faces new allegations of fraudulent activities and misusing trademarks to deceive donors through GoFundMe and social media platforms.
According to the letter sent to Instagram and GoFundMe, Marimalek has been illicitly using the Runways to Freedom™ name to solicit funds from unsuspecting donors. Despite previous interventions by these platforms, Marimalek reportedly shifted her fraudulent activities to a new GoFundMe account after a documentary exposed her initial campaign.
The letter details how Marimalek discontinued associations with former partners like Impact A Village after they publicly disavowed any involvement with her fundraising. Moreover, Marimalek’s tactics included changing the campaign’s language to French, targeting French-speaking African countries, potentially evading scrutiny, and appealing to a new donor base.
Fraudulent activities like these not only harm the direct victims — the donors — but also tarnish the reputation of the nonprofit sector. They create a climate of distrust that can decrease the willingness of the public to support genuine causes. Ensuring transparency and accountability in fundraising is crucial for maintaining public trust.
The letter also alleges that Marimalek claims to support a Somali individual named Sadiki, presented as a model on models.com. Still, the funds have been funneled to another account under her control.
Runways to Freedom™ has urged Instagram and GoFundMe to take decisive action to prevent further misuse of their platform and protect potential donors. This case highlights the challenges of regulating online fundraising activities and the importance of verifying the legitimacy of charitable campaigns before contributing.
Yonwuren Media will continue to follow this developing story, providing updates as they become available and ensuring our audience is informed about the outcomes of these serious allegations.
