Nouel Alba, 37, was arrested after FBI accused her of using Facebook, phone calls and text messages to solicit donations to a "funeral fund".

BBC: NY woman in Newtown 'charity scam'

The court heard Ms Spence also borrowed money from murder accused Colin Coat's parents' funeral fund and she had not paid her workers any wages.

BBC: Lynda Spence

According to the FBI complaint, Ms Alba posted on Facebook that "we've set up a funeral fund for my brother and families - anyone willing to make a donation can make one", before giving instructions on how to donate to a Paypal account or by direct deposit.

BBC: NY woman in Newtown 'charity scam'

The government currently provides funeral payments from the Social Fund to those in poverty.

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Under the approved fund, families of those killed will be given 250, 000 baht for funeral expenses and an additional 3 million baht for ''psychological trauma caused'', Thai local media reported.

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