{"id":11913,"date":"2026-05-31T15:21:06","date_gmt":"2026-05-31T15:21:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=11913"},"modified":"2026-05-31T15:21:06","modified_gmt":"2026-05-31T15:21:06","slug":"fbi-hunting-for-alleged-scammer-who-spent-thousands-in-donations-for-fake-brain-cancer-treatment-on-vacations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/8657085.xyz\/?p=11913","title":{"rendered":"FBI hunting for alleged scammer who spent thousands in donations for fake brain cancer treatment on vacations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 300px 160px; gap: 2px; width: 460px; background: #eee; padding: 2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u6574\u884c\u5bbd\u5e7f\u544a -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876674\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"grid-column: 1\/-1; width: 460px; height: 90px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876676\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u5de6\u4fa7\u7ad6\u6392 -->\r\n  <div style=\"height: 250px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876672\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div style=\"height: 500px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876680\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u53f3\u4fa7\u6469\u5929\u697c\uff08\u548c\u5de6\u4fa7\u5b8c\u5168\u5bf9\u9f50\uff09 -->\r\n  <div style=\"grid-row: 3\/5; height: 750px; background: #ccc; display: grid; place-items: center;\">\r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e2\" data-zoneid=\"5876678\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  \r\n  <script async type=\"application\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/a.magsrv.com\/ad-provider.js\"><\/script> \r\n <ins class=\"eas6a97888e6\" data-zoneid=\"5876682\"><\/ins> \r\n <script>(AdProvider = window.AdProvider || []).push({\"serve\": {}});<\/script>\r\n<\/div><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft wp-block-nypost-editor-partner-article-links\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>A\u00a0Pennsylvania\u00a0woman accused of faking terminal brain cancer to scam friends, family members and supporters out of thousands of dollars is among the FBI\u2019s most wanted fugitives after authorities said she used the donations to fund luxury travel and vacations in Australia instead of medical treatment.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI said on May 23 that it is still hunting for Vanessa O\u2019Rourke, who has been on the run for years since she was indicted in 2018 for her suspected scheme.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities allege O\u2019Rourke, now 37, spent months convincing loved ones she was dying from glioblastoma, an aggressive and often fatal form of brain cancer, while claiming she desperately needed money for treatment, daily living expenses and experimental medical care overseas.<\/p>\n<p>According to the FBI,\u00a0O\u2019Rourke told supporters that traditional treatment options had failed and that traveling to Australia for an experimental procedure represented her best chance at survival.<\/p>\n<p>Friends and family members reportedly rallied around her, donating money and organizing fundraisers to help what they believed was a young woman battling a terminal illness. But authorities say the\u00a0cancer diagnosis\u00a0was entirely fabricated.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators allege that between October 2015 and July 2016, O\u2019Rourke used false claims about her health to obtain financial support from people close to her. Prosecutors say supporters provided money directly to O\u2019Rourke and also helped organize\u00a0fundraising\u00a0efforts to cover what they believed were mounting medical costs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>Pennsylvania woman Vanessa O\u2019Rourke is wanted by the FBI for allegedly scamming family and friends out of thousands of dollars. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In April 2016, O\u2019Rourke traveled to Australia, allegedly telling loved ones she was receiving experimental treatment unavailable in the United States. Instead, according to federal authorities, she spent the trip engaging in sightseeing and recreational activities and received no medical treatment whatsoever.<\/p>\n<p>After returning to the United States, investigators say O\u2019Rourke continued the alleged scam by encouraging friends and family members to organize additional fundraising events on her behalf.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities say a donation webpage was launched online and a fundraising benefit was held at a Pennsylvania restaurant, where supporters gathered to raise money for what they believed was O\u2019Rourke\u2019s ongoing cancer battle.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>O\u2019Rourke allegedly lied about a cancer diagnosis to solicit donations from family members and friends for a supposed experimental treatment in Australia. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Federal prosecutors allege the money raised during those efforts was later used to fund another trip to Australia in 2016, where O\u2019Rourke again allegedly participated in leisure activities instead of receiving treatment for the illness investigators say never existed.<\/p>\n<p>The alleged scheme eventually drew the attention of federal investigators.<\/p>\n<div class=\"single__inline-module inline-module inline-module--newsletter aligncenter inline-module--nypostbusinessunit aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-newsletter\" data-source-unit=\"Inline Newsletter Module Morning Report\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__inner\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__title-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"inline-module__unsubmitted-title-wrapper\">\n<h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStart your day with all you need to know\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<p class=\"inline-module__cta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMorning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"inline-module__title headline headline--combo-sm-md\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>On May 3, 2018, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania indicted O\u2019Rourke on 15 counts of wire fraud. A federal warrant was issued for her arrest, and she remains wanted by the FBI.<\/p>\n<p>O\u2019Rourke\u2019s case is one of several high-profile \u201cfake cancer\u201d scams that have shocked communities in recent years, as fraudsters allegedly exploited sympathy, online fundraising platforms and emotional support networks for financial gain.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"nyp-slideshow-modal-image wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><figcaption>O\u2019Rourke was indicted on wire fraud charges in 2018. <span class=\"credit\">FBI<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In recent years, several women across the United States and abroad have been accused or convicted of fabricating terminal illnesses while collecting money through fundraisers, crowdfunding pages and community events.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most notorious cases involved California woman Amanda Riley, the subject of the hit \u201cScamanda\u201d podcast and ABC docuseries, who admitted to faking cancer for years while receiving more than $100,000 in donations from supporters.<\/p>\n<p>Like those cases, prosecutors allege O\u2019Rourke\u2019s scheme relied heavily on the trust and compassion of the people closest to her \u2014 friends, relatives and supporters who believed they were helping save someone\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities and fraud experts have warned that emotionally charged medical scams can be especially effective because they often target tight-knit communities eager to rally around someone they believe is fighting for survival.<\/p>\n<p>The FBI is asking anyone with information about O\u2019Rourke\u2019s whereabouts to contact law enforcement.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><!-- \u603b\u5bb9\u5668\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u5bbd908px Grid\u7d27\u51d1\u5e03\u5c40 -->\r\n<div style=\"display: grid; grid-template-columns: 728px 160px; gap:2px; width:908px; background:#eee; padding:2px;\">\r\n\r\n  <!-- \u901a\u680f\u9876\u90e8\uff1a\u6700\u5927\u6a2a\u5e45 908x258 \u8de8\u6574\u884c -->\r\n  <div 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