Video shows arrest of woman soliciting money for fake funeral in Flagler County

A woman with two children was arrested along Interstate 95 in Flagler County after soliciting money for a fake funeral over the weekend, according to the sheriff’s office.

The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said Elena Firu, 37, was seen with two boys near Palm Coast Parkway and Boulder Rock Drive wearing neon yellow vests and holding signs and buckets.

The sheriff’s office said when deputies questioned Firu, she provided a fake name and later said that name belonged to her niece who died in a crash in France three days prior and that she was raising money for her funeral.

Video shows a deputy question Firu, then tell the suspect and her children she’s sorry their family is going through that tragedy, but she “can’t have (them) walking in traffic.”

[sarahruth]

Using a fake death as a way to play on people's emotions and kindness, disgusting scam. Just gross.

[jennyrae]

She obviously speaks more English than she’s letting on. She understands EVERYTHING the officer is saying

[jdog]

These scam artists need jail time. This particular scam is disgusting.

[Michael--]

The fact that so many people believe these scams is sad as well.

[perkypokey]

I feel so bad for her. How is it her fault that Maria keeps dying?

[Hangar]

I helped a family like this once, than I saw them a couple of months later doing the same thing but at a different location. That was a $10 dollar lesson I'll never forget.

[tulasipriya]

"How can I help?" What the cop doesn't understand is that they don't need help. That woman makes more money than the cop through various scams. This is a way of life.

[raysulenski]

They even come equipped with safety vests. What a scam

[GeorgeShirah]

The yellow vest gives it away, you don’t buy a vest for a one time situation, you buy a vest because you’re planning on doing it over and over!

[bass-HCCA]

She's no different than the phone scammers. She's lazy, and doesnt care about scamming people. She's training her sons to become the same person as her. 😕

[bridgetrodriguez]

Scammers need to be arrested and fined. Disgusting

[BearMountainBigfootRescue]

The fake tears, hiding behind a language barrier that she OBVIOUSLY understands and using her kids is absolutely pathetic! Stop giving these scammers money!

[jenniffertorres]

These people make it very hard for people that actually really need help.

[TheLexiechey]

She understands exactly what the cops are saying, playing dumb makes it so much worse.

[davemillet]

I love how she just stands there looking off into the distance as if no one else is there. The cop nailed it when she said to the woman, "you can't even look me in the eyes." Oh, and then she starts "crying." Absolutely pathetic.

[eh-i]

She understands the language, perfectly well.I bet she’s been there longer than 7 months.She can obviously write, in English, too.Horrible scammers.

[PRND]

I saw a guy holding 2 signs next to panhandlers that said “They are lying”. I was busting up 😂. He must have known something about the beggars and was calling them out.

[qendresaful]

I lost my 20 year old brother in a car accident 14 years ago people that do this type of stuff are so freaking horrible

[bradwillis]

She understands everything the Cop was saying don’t let them fool you

[prashanthkumar]

The cop being so nice to the scammer is the problem. The scammers think westerners are fools.