NY woman charged in bogus Newtown scam

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- Federal authorities have arrested a Bronx, New York, woman on charges related to a bogus fundraising effort linked to the Newtown school shooting tragedy.

Nouel Alba, 37, from the Bronx, was arrested Thursday and charged with lying to the FBI.

LINK: Read the federal complaint against Alba

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Alba used her Facebook account, her phone and sent emails claiming to be a relative of one of the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims. She claimed the money donated would be used for the child's "funeral fund". Instead, the money that was donated went to her Paypal account.

According to the federal complaint, Alba wrote on Facebook n Dec. 15th "We've set up a funeral fund for my brother and families. Anyone willing to make a donation can make one either through paypal @  [REDACTED] @gmail.com or by Direct Deposit @ JP Morgan Chase Bank NA &JPMC Routing Number xxxxxx 169 Account Number xxxxxxxxxxxxx 399. We like to Thank everyone for your prayers. We ask that you continue to not just pray for us but for the families who have lost their kid..."

When Alba was questioned about the Facebook page and Paypal account she lied to the FBI, officials said.

Alba was presented in Hartford Federal Court before Magistrate Judge Thomas Smith this afternoon. She was released after posting a $50,000 bond.

"This arrest should serve as a warning to anyone who attempts to profit from this tragedy by contriving fraudulent schemes that exploit the many victims, their families and individuals who sincerely want to help,” U.S. Attorney David Fein said in a statement.  “Investigators continue to monitor the Internet to uncover other fundraising scams arising from this tragedy, and the individuals operating them face federal or state prosecution to the fullest extent permitted by law.”

If convicted, she faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.