Woman wanted by FBI after faking brain cancer diagnosis scam

The FBI is looking for a Pennsylvania woman accused of falsifying a terminal brain cancer diagnosis to defraud family and friends of thousands of dollars.

The FBI took Facebook on Saturday, May 23, saying they were looking for Vanessa O’Rourke. Investigators believe she deceived her loved ones by falsely claiming she had terminal brain cancer and that she needed financial help to pay for medical bills, living expenses and laboratory care in Australia.

O’Rourke, 37, allegedly convinced her relatives, friends and other supporters to send her money, claiming she was seriously ill and in desperate need of help.

She was previously charged with 15 counts of wire fraud in May 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and a federal arrest warrant was issued for her at that time, according to the FBI.

The indictment alleges that O’Rourke falsely claimed that he had glioblastoma between October 2015 and July 2016. She allegedly defrauded 140 people who donated nearly $12,000 to her GoFundMe campaign.

O’Rourke is also accused of traveling to Australia but never receiving the cancer treatment she claimed. Instead, she allegedly used donations to cover her personal expenses.

The FBI added that the investigation into O’Rourke’s crimes is ongoing and she continues to be wanted.

The search for O’Rourke has been a long one, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania previously released a statement About her September 2020 crime.

‘The allegations in this case are disgusting,’ former U.S. Attorney William McSwain said at the time. “O’Rourke is accused of taking advantage of the kindness and generosity of those who wish to help those in need. As alleged, there was no need here – only lies, greed and callous manipulation.”

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Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI Michael J. Driscoll Adding: “It is reprehensible to mislead people about a serious medical diagnosis in order to take advantage of their good intentions and open their wallets.”

“As alleged, Vanessa O’Rourke deceived friends and family into donating money for her purported medical care,” Driscoll continued. “Instead, the funds supported her lifestyle and leisure. When someone commits financial fraud like this, the FBI and our law enforcement partners work hard to hold them accountable.”

Authorities ask anyone with information about O’Rourke’s whereabouts to contact their local FBI office or the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.