A Pennsylvania lady accused of faking terminal mind most cancers to rip-off associates, relations and supporters out of 1000’s of {dollars} is among the many FBI’s most needed fugitives after authorities stated she used the donations to fund luxurious journey and holidays in Australia as a substitute of medical therapy.
The FBI stated on Might 23 that it’s nonetheless trying to find Vanessa O’Rourke, who has been on the run for years since she was indicted in 2018 for her suspected scheme.
Authorities allege O’Rourke, now 37, spent months convincing family members she was dying from glioblastoma, an aggressive and sometimes deadly type of mind most cancers, whereas claiming she desperately wanted cash for therapy, every day residing bills and experimental medical care abroad.
In line with the FBI, O’Rourke instructed supporters that conventional therapy choices had failed and that touring to Australia for an experimental process represented her greatest probability at survival.
Family and friends members reportedly rallied round her, donating cash and organizing fundraisers to assist what they believed was a younger lady battling a terminal sickness. However authorities say the most cancers analysis was totally fabricated.
Investigators allege that between October 2015 and July 2016, O’Rourke used false claims about her well being to acquire monetary help from folks near her. Prosecutors say supporters offered cash on to O’Rourke and in addition helped arrange fundraising efforts to cowl what they believed have been mounting medical prices.
In April 2016, O’Rourke traveled to Australia, allegedly telling family members she was receiving experimental therapy unavailable in the USA. As an alternative, in accordance with federal authorities, she spent the journey partaking in sightseeing and leisure actions and obtained no medical therapy by any means.
After returning to the USA, investigators say O’Rourke continued the alleged rip-off by encouraging family and friends members to prepare extra fundraising occasions on her behalf.
Authorities say a donation webpage was launched on-line and a fundraising profit was held at a Pennsylvania restaurant, the place supporters gathered to lift cash for what they believed was O’Rourke’s ongoing most cancers battle.
Federal prosecutors allege the cash raised throughout these efforts was later used to fund one other journey to Australia in 2016, the place O’Rourke once more allegedly participated in leisure actions as a substitute of receiving therapy for the sickness investigators say by no means existed.
The alleged scheme ultimately drew the eye of federal investigators.
On Might 3, 2018, a federal grand jury within the Jap District of Pennsylvania indicted O’Rourke on 15 counts of wire fraud. A federal warrant was issued for her arrest, and he or she stays needed by the FBI.
O’Rourke’s case is one in every of a number of high-profile “pretend most cancers” scams which have shocked communities in recent times, as fraudsters allegedly exploited sympathy, on-line fundraising platforms and emotional help networks for monetary achieve.
Lately, a number of ladies throughout the USA and overseas have been accused or convicted of fabricating terminal diseases whereas gathering cash by way of fundraisers, crowdfunding pages and group occasions.
One of the vital infamous instances concerned California lady Amanda Riley, the topic of the hit “Scamanda” podcast and ABC docuseries, who admitted to faking most cancers for years whereas receiving greater than $100,000 in donations from supporters.
Like these instances, prosecutors allege O’Rourke’s scheme relied closely on the belief and compassion of the folks closest to her — associates, kinfolk and supporters who believed they have been serving to save somebody’s life.
Authorities and fraud specialists have warned that emotionally charged medical scams might be particularly efficient as a result of they usually goal tight-knit communities desperate to rally round somebody they imagine is preventing for survival.
The FBI is asking anybody with details about O’Rourke’s whereabouts to contact legislation enforcement.
