The hand-written signs being held by three people along a Southern California desert freeway said "Funeral Donations," "Anything is a blessing" and had photos of a little boy.
"RIP Johnny," one sign noted.
But when Victorville police investigated Monday they discovered the little boy was not deceased and that water bottles held by the man and two teens contained cash allegedly donated as a result of the fraudulent signs. A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department press release said a 20-year-old man and two 14-year-old boys were arrested for investigation of theft by false pretenses.
"Johnny" turned out to be a friend of the suspect, investigators said.
Deputies contacted one victim of the scheme who was nearby the scene on U.S. 395. Other possible victims are sought.
Anyone with information was asked to call 760-241-2911.
