ATHENS, AL — Amy Dianne Elmore Downs, a 57-year-old woman from Athens, Alabama, has been arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $1 million in donations that she claimed were for victims of domestic violence and homelessness. Downs, who used social media platforms like TikTok to solicit funds for a fake charity, is now facing multiple charges, including charitable fraud and tax evasion.
According to the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, Downs raised substantial donations from people around the world by promoting a nonexistent charity that purportedly helped victims of domestic violence and homelessness. Using her social media presence, Downs encouraged her followers to send money through personal finance apps like PayPal, CashApp, and Venmo, under the guise that the funds would support a noble cause.
“Since 2021, Downs has deposited nearly $1 million into her personal bank accounts, misrepresenting the money as charitable donations,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release. Downs, who was known online by her TikTok handle Slot_7.0 or Slotmachinequeen, built a following by presenting herself as a compassionate advocate for those in need, even receiving public recognition at events like The Cheer Choice Awards, which celebrates influencers who use their platforms for good.
At the 2023 Cheer Choice Awards, held at the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Downs introduced herself in a red carpet interview with KNEKT.tv, stating, “My name is Amy, and my handle is Slot_7.0. I do DV help for immediate danger DV victims and homeless.” The award ceremony highlighted creators who use their social media platforms to raise money for charity, but in Downs’ case, the funds were allegedly pocketed for personal gain.
However, an extensive three-year investigation by authorities revealed that Downs had no legitimate charity registered in her name, nor had she reported any formal employment since 2020. Despite these facts, large sums of money were being deposited into her personal accounts under the pretext of charitable donations. Investigators also discovered that no charity had been registered with the Alabama Attorney General’s Office or any other official body.
“This is deeply troubling,” said Cherrelle Lock, the director of Domestic Violence Outreach at Crisis Services of North Alabama, upon hearing the news. “Our crisis center would never ask for donations to be made through a personal app. It’s unbelievable that something like this could happen in our community, where people genuinely need support.”
Lock emphasized the importance of transparency when it comes to charitable donations: “For those individuals in our community who support us, we make sure that we know exactly where that funding is going.”
Downs was arrested and booked into the Limestone County Jail on seven counts of first-degree charitable fraud and three counts of tax evasion. Her bond was set at $1.125 million, though she has since been released after posting bail on Tuesday evening.
The sheriff’s office is urging anyone with information about Downs’ activities to come forward, as the investigation into her fraudulent actions continues.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for exploitation in the world of online fundraising, particularly when it comes to causes that resonate deeply with the public. Authorities continue to stress the importance of verifying charities and ensuring that donations are going to legitimate organizations.
