A distressed father, Richard Lee, has revealed that an unidentified woman is posing as his missing daughter, Katrice Lee, in a deceitful fundraising scheme. Katrice disappeared 45 years ago on her second birthday while in a shopping center in Germany, where Richard was stationed in the British Army.
Richard, a former sergeant major, dedicated 33 years to the army and remains committed to uncovering the truth behind his daughter’s disappearance. He expressed outrage as an American woman, identifying as Heather McCord, initiated a fundraising campaign in February, claiming to be Katrice and requesting donations to travel to the UK for a DNA test.
The woman managed to raise $225 on GoFundMe, but Richard suspects the entire endeavor is a scam. He emphasized that his primary objective is to find Katrice, while the impostor’s motive appears solely financial. Richard highlighted that the woman had appropriated content from his interviews and YouTube videos to fabricate a story about needing funds to reach the UK.
Expressing his anger, Richard condemned the impersonation, labeling it as exploitative and scandalous. He pointed out that the woman’s actions are not isolated, as she seems to have multiple ongoing donation pages. Despite her claims of being trafficked as a child, Richard remains skeptical, urging her to approach the authorities for a legitimate resolution.
The family has reported the incident to the UK Military Police, who are collaborating with US authorities to locate the impersonator. Richard reiterated his unwavering determination to uncover the truth about his daughter’s disappearance, emphasizing that love endures and propels his relentless pursuit for closure.
Over the years, Richard and his family have encountered several individuals falsely claiming to be Katrice, leading to legal action against some perpetrators. The family remains vigilant against such deceitful attempts, reiterating their commitment to pursuing justice and finding the real Katrice.
