‘Drowning’: YouTuber raises $200k from fans over ‘debt’

An Aussie influencer who started a fundraiser begging his fans for money now won’t reveal why he needed the $200,000.

An Aussie influencer who says he landed himself in major debt after failing to read a contract properly has raised more than $200,000 after asking his fans for donations.

Youtuber and illustrator Campbell Walker, also known as @struthless, asked for donations in a video last month titled: “I’m drowning in debt and I need a lifeline.”

In the video, he told fans he was $135,000 USD in debt due to a “contract” which he would explain more about in a later video.

“The reason I’m in this debt is something I will talk about in another video,” he said.

“Long story short, read your contracts everybody, read your contracts.

“I guess I thought I was good with money or good with contracts or whatever but yeah, the evidence pointed otherwise.”

Illustrator Campbell Walker makes videos for multiple social media platforms and has also published several books. Picture: YouTube

Mr Walker said he was on the brink of bankruptcy in the video. Picture: YouTube

After raising $200,000 the fundraiser was shut down and the video taken off YouTube.

However, a month later, Mr Walker is yet to provide clarification around the debt – with fans now urging him to update them on the situation.

“Basically, the advice I’ve gotten is until my situation is solved, a video will make my situation worse,” Mr Walker replied two weeks ago to one fan asking for an update.

Mr Walker did not respond to multiple requests for comment from news.com.au about the fundraiser.

The GoFundMe was slammed by some online with fellow YouTuber Lufah labelling the move “shameful” – fearing it was becoming a trend.

He spoke about US YouTuber Ian Danskin, who raised $155,000 from his followers after also landing in major debt.

“Are you kidding me,” Lufah said in a video about Mr Walker’s fundraiser.

“The one million [subscriber] YouTuber …. just begging for money.”

Some fans commented on the video expressing how they had been “uncomfortable” with the fundraiser.

The GoFundMe was closed after raising more than $200,000. Picture: GoFundMe

The YouTuber asked for donations online. Picture: YouTube

“Not gonna lie, as a fan of his over the years I do find it a bit disappointing/uncomfortable that he’s done this,” one wrote.

“There are literally kids getting bombed right now, homeless folks, that need it so much more.”

Another wrote: “Bit conflicted too. Not going into detail about what exactly had happened, and then setting up your own GoFundMe page with a title in third person and a sad picture is a bit poor taste IMO.

“He’s also opened a potential can of worms if people don’t like his reason for getting into this debt now that all the money’s been paid.”

Other fans said they were more than happy to donate, given Mr Walker had supplied them with free and important content, particularly around mental health, on his YouTube channel for years.

“Cam has added so much into the world and into his community in the form of help and positivity. And as a community we are more than happy to help him and his family out during such a difficult time for them,” one wrote.

Another wrote: “There’s no shame in asking for help. His content is free and quality.”

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Originally published as ‘Drowning’: YouTuber raises $200k from fans over ‘debt’