one pennsylvania A woman is accused of faking a terminal brain cancer diagnosis to collect donations from friends, family and supporters, which she allegedly used to fund luxury trips AustraliaThat’s according to federal authorities cited in the New York Post report.
Vanessa O’Rourke, 37, has been on the run for years and is wanted by police. FBI Charged with wire fraud in 2018.
Officials said she remains a fugitive while the investigation continues.
Alleged cancer claims used to raise funds
According to charges outlined by federal prosecutors, O’Rourke led those close to her to believe she had glioblastoma, an aggressive and often fatal form of brain cancer.
She allegedly told supporters that traditional treatment options had failed and she needed experimental medical care in Australia to survive.
Investigators said she used the claims to fund treatment, travel and daily living expenses between October 2015 and July 2016. Friends and relatives reportedly donated money and helped organize fundraisers based on what they considered life-threatening illnesses.
Australia travel allegedly used for leisure rather than treatment
In April 2016, O’Rourke traveled to Australia and told supporters she was receiving experimental treatments that were not available in the United States, authorities said.
However, federal investigators said no medical treatment was received during the trip. Instead, she allegedly spent her time sightseeing and attending entertainment events.
Prosecutors further allege that after returning to the United States, she continued the scheme by encouraging additional fundraising efforts, including an online donation page and community events.
The funds were later used to fund another trip to Australia in 2016, again allegedly without any medical treatment, the New York Post reported.
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FBI indictments and ongoing manhunt
O’Rourke was indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in May 2018 on 15 counts of wire fraud, according to officials cited in the report.
A federal arrest warrant was issued, but her whereabouts have been unknown since. The FBI said she remains wanted and is actively searching.
Authorities say the case is part of a broader trend of so-called “fake cancer” scams, in which individuals allegedly exploit sympathy and trust to raise funds through donations and crowdfunding.
