Alleged Scam Rocks America's 'Most Inbred Family'

In November 2025, the Whittaker family, known as America's 'most inbred', found themselves at the center of a controversy involving two social media creators who had been documenting their lives. The family accused Lawrence 'Eric' Carroll and John 'Patrick' Roark of taking off with money and merchandise that was donated to them through the creators' social media platforms.

West Virginia State Police have launched an investigation into a 'fraudulent scheme' targeting the Whittakers, urging the public to provide information about any gifts or money given to Carroll and Roark on the family's behalf. Both men deny any wrongdoing, with Roark claiming his former collaborator Carroll is responsible for most of the monetized content and donations. However, the Whittakers, particularly Larry Whittaker, have accused the creators of stealing their money, with Larry alleging that 'Eric got it and took off.'

The creators had started social media accounts for the Whittakers in June 2025 and quickly amassed a large following, monetizing their content and soliciting donations to support the family and fund the building of a new home. But the family now claims the creators never followed through on their promises, and the Whittakers are still living in squalid conditions despite the apparent influx of cash and donations.