Mike Thalassitis's parents shut down friends' £25,000 fundraising page over fears fraudsters could try to claim the money

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Mike Thalassitis's parents have shut down a £25,000 fundraising page to raise money for his funeral fees over fears fraudsters could try to claim the money. 

Nearly £5,000 of the target was raised in just one day by friends and supporters after his death last weekend. 

But last night a message appeared on the page saying it would be shut and the money given to a mental health charity to avoid other fraudulent accounts being set up by fraudsters. 

Last night a message appeared on the fundraising page saying it would be shut and the money given to a mental health charity to avoid other fraudulent accounts being set up by fraudsters

 The Love Island star, 26, (seen on February 7) was found dead near his Edmonton home on March 16, with both his manager and the Metropolitan Police confirming the news

It read: 'Thank you all for your generous donations thus far. I have spoken with Mike's family and while they are grateful for all of the support his friends have given, they have asked to close the gofundme at this time.

'Please be assured the money raised to date will go directly to the family who intend to open a new page controlled by themselves in due course. All proceeds will then be consolidated and donated to a mental health charity of their choice.

'While this particular page was created by his close friends, they are concerned that fraudulent accounts could be activated by strangers using their name.

'Therefore, please do not donate to any other pages until an official statement has been made by the immediate Thalassitis' family within the next week or so.'

The Love Island star, 26, was found dead near his Edmonton home on March 16, with both his manager and the Metropolitan Police confirming the news.

Mike's friends, including model Ellie O'Donnell, have since shown support to the online campaign which describes him as a 'good man to many people.' 

Ellie, 22, has donated £250 to the cause after she made a heartbreaking tribute to her friend on Instagram a week ago.

Mike pictured here as a child with his father, Andreas Thalassitis, 62, (left) and mother, Shirley

Nearly £5,000 of the target was raised in just one day by friends and supporters after his death last weekend 

The model, who was a good friend of the late Love Island star, said his death will 'haunt her' for the rest of her life.

Jack Fowler, who appeared in the villa last summer, also supported the campaign by sharing it on his Instagram story with the caption: 'Money will be put towards Mike's funeral & charity'. 

On the fundraiser page, Mike's friends described how his family had been doing 'everything possible to come to terms with the death' of his grandmother when the 26-year-old was tragically found dead.

Ellie O'Donnell, 22, donated £250 to the cause after she made a heartbreaking tribute to her friend on Instagram a week ago

On the page, which currently has 115 supporters, an organiser revealed the remainder of the funds will be donated to a charity of Mike's parent's choosing

The message reads: 'Mike Thalassitis was a beloved son, brother, friend and good man to many people.

'Mike's family were doing everything possible to come to terms with the death of Andy's mum (Mike's Nan) before their youngest son was taken within days of each other. 

'Mike's family are hard working people experiencing a time of intense pain and suffering. Accordingly we are asking for all of your help so that they do not have to face anything alone.

'So we have created this as a collection so all of those who want to contribute can. We will give all donations raised to Mike's mum and dad to help fund his funeral costs and the rest given to a mental health charity of their choice.'

The organiser went on to encourage those who knew Mike to 'please talk to each other' in the face of the tragedy.

The fundraiser comes after it was revealed on Saturday that Mike's restaurant The Skillet, in Essex, will still open as planned.

Mike, 26, was found dead near his Edmonton home on March 16, with both his manager and the Metropolitan Police confirming the news

His business partner Scott Neilson took to Instagram to share a statement reading: 'Just to address all the speculation...   

'I would like to make it clear that we will be opening The Skillet when it is ready, it has been a tough week trying to continue to sort things out.

'However, Mike would've wanted this cafe to open, he spent every day for the past couple of months working hard to make this place a success so we are pulling together to get this ready for everyone and especially for Mike.

'Can't wait to share it with you all, and I will announce the date of the opening shortly'.

Mike's business partner Scott Neilson took to Instagram to confirm his restaurant The Skillet will open as planned

Mike's grieving friends paid tribute to the late Love Island star by holding an emotional vigil on Friday in the woodland where his body was found hanged. 

In pictures and videos posted to social media by a friend called Michelle, it saw the late reality star's grieving friends cover a tree trunk in sentimental pictures, flowers and candles.

Different uploads saw his heartbroken loved ones light and release several floating lanterns into the sky.

Other social media posts saw Mike's friends write heartfelt letters accompanied with throwback pictures of the two together over the years.

Mike's devastated loved ones have held a vigil for the late Love Island contestant in the woodland where his body was found hanged

Other social media posts saw Mike's friends write heartfelt letters accompanied with throwback pictures of the two together over the years

Alongside the posts, his friend Michelle said: 'Goodnight @MikeThalassitis Catch those lanterns in the Sky'.

The friend also shared that Mike's loved ones had been gathering in the woodland throughout the week, leaving flowers and paying their respect.

Just days before his death, Mike's grandmother tragically passed away aged 94. The reality star had moved in with her to become her full-time carer.

Mike enjoyed a successful football career before appearing on season three of the revamped dating show Love Island in 2017.

GoFundMe said: 'Our thoughts are Mike's family at what must be a very difficult time. They can rest assured that on GoFundMe no funds would ever be released unless we are absolutely confident they will get to the right beneficiary.'

Just days before his death, Mike's grandmother on his father's side was aged 94 when she tragically passed away