Johan Moreno posted a public warning on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, after online fundraising schemes began to exploit the death of his sister, Eliana Moreno. The warning highlighted that scammers were creating fraudulent campaigns to profit from the tragedy that claimed three lives in a helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.
The crash occurred while Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were covering a bus‑SUV collision on a local roadway. Both Moreno and Marciniw were killed in the accident, and a third individual also lost their life, bringing the total death toll to three. The incident drew attention from local media and emergency responders, and it underscored the risks journalists and pilots face when reporting on traffic incidents.
In the days following the crash, Johan Moreno observed that various online platforms were being used to solicit donations under the pretense of supporting the victims' families. He cautioned readers that these fundraising efforts were not authorized by the family and were intended solely to generate profit for the organizers. Moreno’s message urged the public to verify the legitimacy of any charitable appeal before contributing.
Authorities have not publicly identified the individuals or groups behind the fraudulent campaigns, but the warning aligns with broader concerns about online scams that surface after high‑profile tragedies. Community members are advised to report suspicious fundraising pages to the hosting platform and to local law enforcement if they suspect fraudulent activity.
The Moreno family, while grieving the loss of Eliana and the other victims, hopes that the public will remain vigilant and avoid inadvertently supporting illegal schemes. Johan Moreno’s alert serves as a reminder that compassion must be paired with due diligence, especially in the wake of a sudden and tragic event.
The incident continues to be investigated, and officials have not released further details about the crash beyond the confirmed fatalities and the circumstances surrounding the news coverage at the time of the accident.
