The Internet is a strange and wonderful place. Create a community where anyone can raise money for anything, and it can get downright weird. While many nonprofits and causes have found funding for noble endeavors, some users are just trying to make a buck. Shall we play a game? See if you can figure out which campaigns are real and which ones are fake based on the descriptions below.
What: Help buy me a boat
Where: Chicago
How much it raised: $0
What's the deal: A Chicago bro wants to buy a boat and needs just $150,000. He's offering an autographed photo of himself and Fantasy Football advice for different levels of donations. (REAL)
What: The Giant Cock Car, our favorite Chicken
Where: Los Angeles
How much it raised: $980 (10 days remain)
What's the deal: An artist is seeking $1,800 to finish work on a vehicle that's also a giant chicken sculpture. (REAL)
What: 'The Notebook Engagement' and Icelandic wedding
Where: Chattanooga, Tenn.
How much it raised: $540
What's the deal: A man who proposed to his girlfriend by re-enacting a scene from "The Notebook" is now looking for $7,000 to get married and honeymoon in Iceland. (REAL)
What: Rob Ford Crackstarter
Where: New York City
How much it raised: $201,204
What's the deal: News and gossip blog Gawker crowdfunded a campaign to buy a video of what a source purported to be Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine. (REAL)
What: Jeffery needs a new tooth
Where: Los Angeles
How much it raised: $3,650
What's the deal: A guy chipped half his tooth in February and needed funds fast to pay for the procedure without insurance. He exceeded the $3,500 goal. (REAL)
What: Help me not be a laughing stock
Where: Columbus, Ohio
How much it raised: $0
What's the deal: A man claims he is a "laughing stock" because he does not have an iPad when he goes to Starbucks. He sought $599 to buy himself one. (REAL)
What: Help us buy a puggle!
Where: Bangor, Maine
How much it raised: $37
What's the deal: A couple can't afford the price of a puggle from a breeder in a different state. They tried to raise $2,000 to cover the breeder fees, food and vet expenses. (FAKE)
What: Whining about wine
Where: Santa Rosa, Calif.
How much it raised: $100
What's the deal: A man's supply of wine went bad in his cellar after a power outage while he was vacationing. He's seeking $10,000 to restock the wine room, and offering a perk of "free expert wine advice" by email for those who donate $1,000 or more. (FAKE)
What: Finding my TRUE LOVE!
Where: Salt Lake City
How much it raised: $0
What's the deal: A man is looking for $1,000 for a new wardrobe, a makeover and dinner money to take three women out on the date of a lifetime. He promises the donations will help him find his true love. (FAKE)
What: Sarah's dolphin dream
Where: Aberdeen, S.D.
How much it raised: $700
What's the deal: It would take a woman $600 to fulfill her dream of swimming with Dolphins at a nearby aquarium, and she beat the goal by soliciting several sympathetic donors. (FAKE)
mswasko@tribune.com