A Pennsylvania woman who allegedly pretended to have terminal brain cancer to collect thousands of dollars from friends, family, and supporters is now being sought by the FBI, years after she was charged in a fraud scheme.
The Allegations
Thirty-seven-year-old Vanessa O'Rourke is accused of falsely claiming she had glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, and using that story to raise money through donations and fundraising events. According to the FBI, O'Rourke told relatives and friends in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with the disease and needed to travel to Australia for experimental treatment. Investigators say these claims were entirely false.
Details of the Fraud
At the time, O'Rourke was a 28-year-old brain surgery student at Temple University's medical school. Between October 2015 and July 2016, she received $11,740 in donations from more than 140 people. “Through her false and fraudulent pretenses, her family and others provided money and support,” the FBI said in a statement.
O'Rourke traveled to Australia in April 2016 but did not undergo any medical treatment. Instead, she spent her time engaging in leisure activities. After returning to her home in Harleysville, near Philadelphia, she persuaded family members to continue raising money on her behalf. Relatives organized a fundraising page and even held a benefit event at a local restaurant, where attendees paid $20 to enter. Some of the money raised was later used to fund another trip to Australia in 2016.
Legal Proceedings
The case eventually led to O'Rourke being indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in a Pennsylvania court in May 2018. An international arrest warrant was subsequently issued, but investigators have so far been unable to locate her. Authorities believe she may be living in Queensland, Australia. The FBI has renewed its appeal for information as efforts to find O'Rourke continue.
