A Pennsylvania woman allegedly faked cancer and collected money from people in her community, which she then used to fund international travel.
Vanessa O’Rourke, believed to be in her late 30s, is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation after facing accusations of wire fraud. According to the FBI, O’Rourke claimed to have glioblastoma, a type of terminal brain cancer, and persuaded friends, family, and community members to give her money so she could access experimental medical treatments in Australia.
The FBI, however, says O’Rourke never had brain cancer — yet she did make the trip to Australia, where she allegedly spent her time on vacation.
The FBI says O’Rourke’s alleged scam dates back to October 2015, when she first told family and friends she had glioblastoma and needed to raise money to undergo “an experimental treatment” in Australia. The scheme allegedly continued until July 2016, and O’Rourke did eventually make it to Australia that spring. However, the FBI states that during her time there in April 2016, “she engaged in a variety of leisure activities and did not receive any medical treatment.”
Authorities say she made a second trip to Australia, where she again allegedly took a vacation and received no treatment for her “nonexistent illness.”
After returning to her home in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, O’Rourke allegedly convinced people in her community to hold two fundraisers “on her behalf.” According to local NBC affiliate WGAL, a GoFundMe set up for O’Rourke raised nearly $12,000 from more than 140 donors. A separate in-person fundraiser was also held at a local restaurant.
O’Rourke was caught up in May 2018, when the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania charged her with 15 federal counts of wire fraud. WGAL reported that authorities believe O’Rourke has left the country and is most likely in Australia.
The FBI is urging anyone with information about O’Rourke to reach out to one of its field offices or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
Leave a Reply