Fake Obama Group Keeps Donations

 "Californians for Obama"  has raised thousands of dollars, but the candidate hasn't seen any of it. In fact, the group isn't affiliated with Obama, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, and most of the dough has gone to founder Emmett Cash. Because the group's website doesn't claim an official tie to Obama, it's all legal.

Phony fundraising is a growing trend, and the Internet helps it along. Obama is an obvious target because he's such a hot candidate on the Web. Though his campaign
has asked Cash to shut down, it hasn't happened yet. "There's a nasty underbelly" to politics and the Internet, says one campaign strategist. "This is an example." (More campaign contributions stories.)