A woman and a homeless man have admitted conspiring in a GoFundMe scam in which they garnered hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Johnny Bobbitt, 36, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering over the scheme, which raised $400,000 (£300,000).
Katelyn McClure, 28, admitted conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The pair lied about Bobbit giving McClure cash for petrol when she was stranded on a motorway in Philadelphia in 2017.
The fake tale of a homeless good Samaritan was posted on a GoFundMe online fundraising page and made international headlines, with the trio appearing on TV.
Bobbitt, of Philadelphia, conspired with McClure and her then-boyfriend Mark D’Amico to concoct the story, prosecutors said.
The couple claimed money raised from the fundraiser would be donated to Bobbitt as a thank you for his help.
Instead, authorities said, the three split the money which was spent on a car, designer bags, and trips to Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon and New York City.
GoFundMe said it has refunded all the donations.
Bobbitt later sued the couple over what he said was their failure to turn money over to him.
New Jersey prosecutors said the suit led them to start an investigation, including hauling away a BMW they determined was purchased with the funds at the New Jersey home where McClure and D'Amico were living at the time.
All three still face charges in state court.
D'Amico's lawyer Mark Davis said his client denies any wrongdoing and has not been charged by federal authorities.
