FBI hunting for alleged scammer who spent thousands in donations for fake brain cancer treatment on luxury vacations
Authorities say Vanessa O'Rourke used false cancer claims to raise thousands, then spent the money on luxury travel and vacations.
- The FBI is hunting 37-year-old Vanessa O'Rourke, who allegedly fabricated a glioblastoma diagnosis and used donations to fund luxury travel to Australia instead of medical treatment.
- Investigators allege that between October 2015 and July 2016, O'Rourke used false health claims to solicit financial support from loved ones, convincing them to launch online donation pages and fundraisers for experimental care.
- On May 3, 2018, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted O'Rourke on 15 counts of wire fraud; prosecutors alleged funds were used for leisure activities instead of treatment.
- O'Rourke's case mirrors high-profile scams like that of California woman Amanda Riley, who admitted to faking cancer for years while receiving more than $100,000 in donations from supporters.
- Authorities warn that emotionally charged medical scams often succeed by exploiting tight-knit communities eager to rally around someone fighting for survival; the FBI asks anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
14 Articles
14 Articles
FBI hunts most wanted neighbor next door who allegedly faked cancer, scammed loved ones for luxury getaways
A Pennsylvania woman accused of faking terminal brain cancer to scam friends, family members and supporters out of thousands of dollars is among the FBI's most wanted fugitives after authorities said she used the donations to fund luxury travel and vacations in Australia instead of medical treatment.
FBI Declares Vanessa O’Rourke Wanted For Faking Brain Cancer To Scam Family And Friends
Some people use GoFundMe to pay medical bills. Others use it to recover from emergencies. And then there’s Vanessa O’Rourke. According to investigators, the Pennsylvania woman allegedly turned sympathy into a business plan after claiming she was suffering from terminal brain cancer, only for authorities to later accuse her of spending donated money on a vacation to Australia. That’s certainly one way to take a trip. O’Rourke, now 37, told friend…
Pennsylvania woman falsely claimed she had cancer, defrauded family and friends of thousands of dollars to fund trips to Australia
US News: A Pennsylvania woman accused of pretending to have terminal brain cancer to collect thousands of dollars from friends, family members and supporters i.
FBI hunting for alleged scammer who spent thousands in donations for fake brain cancer treatment on luxury vacations
The FBI said on May 23 that it is still hunting for Vanessa O’Rourke, who has been on the run for years since she was indicted in 2018 for her suspected scheme.
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