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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is looking for a Pennsylvania woman who has been accused of faking a terminal brain cancer diagnosis in order to scam her family and friends out of thousands of dollars.
The FBI took to Facebook on Saturday, May 23, to say that they’re searching for Vanessa O’Rourke. Investigators believe she falsely claimed she was suffering from a terminal form of brain cancer and she scammed her loved ones by claiming she needed financial help to pay for medical treatments, living expenses and experimental care in Australia.
O’Rourke, 37, allegedly convinced her relatives, friends and other supporters to send her money by claiming she was gravely ill and was in urgent need of help.
She was previously indicted in May 2018 on 15 counts of wire fraud in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest at the time, according to the FBI.
The indictment claimed that O’Rourke falsely represented that she had glioblastoma between October 2015 and July 2016. She allegedly scammed 140 people, who donated nearly $12,000 to her GoFundMe campaign.
O’Rourke has also been accused of traveling to Australia, but never receiving the cancer treatment she claimed to be there for. Instead, she allegedly used the donated money to pay for her personal expenses.
The FBI added that the investigation into O’Rourke’s crimes remains active and she will remain on its wanted notices.
The search for O’Rourke has been a long journey, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania previously issued a statement about her crimes in September 2020.
“The allegations in this case are nauseating,” former U.S. Attorney William McSwain said at the time. “O’Rourke is charged with preying upon the kindness and generosity of good people who wished to help those in need. As alleged, there was no need here – only lies, greed and callous manipulation.”
Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division Michael J. Driscoll added, “Misleading people about a significant medical diagnosis in order to take advantage of their kind hearts and open wallets is reprehensible.”
“As alleged, Vanessa O’Rourke scammed friends and family alike, convincing them to donate money toward her supposed medical care,” Driscoll continued. “Instead, those funds supported her lifestyle and leisure. When someone commits such financial fraud, the FBI and our law enforcement partners will work to hold them accountable.”
Authorities have asked that anyone with information about O’Rourke’s whereabouts contact their local FBI office or the nearest American embassy or consulate.
