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You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! (TikTok), Russo also spoke about her "cancer journey" at St. Ambrose University, The National Pancreatic Foundation in Chicago, and a podcast for Project Purple Online, according to police. Nicole Elkabbas has been jailed for conning countless people with her fake-cancer GoFundMe page. A former fashion consultant broke into tears as she was jailed Wednesday for swindling more than $70,000 from well-wishers by claiming she needed to pay for cancer treatment but using the money instead on her lavish lifestyle, according to a report. During her ten months of house arrest she was to be allowed three hours a week for shopping for "necessities". Eldridge Police said Russo was arrested on Jan. 23 and is facing a charge of theft by means of deception after stealing money from donors. He said: "She has used the kindness of others by triggering emotional sympathy. Nicole Elkabbas, 42, set up an online fundraising campaign, falsely claiming she needed money to pay for private treatment for ovarian cancer. She said in an interview with the North Scott Press on Oct. 18 that she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on Feb. 10, 2022, and with leukemia a few months later. Woman guilty of fake cancer fundraising fraud, Fake cancer woman faced charity fraud allegation, Stunning footage as historic train steams through county, CCTV images released following theft of catalytic convertor from Tunbridge Wells driveway, Cannabis cultivation unearthed in Chatham town centre, 5 unusual Kent properties currently up for auction including seafront house, former pumping station and river, Kent lifeboats deployed after fire on board ferry in the Channel, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. She said doctors gave her a "slim 11% survival rate for five years" before discovering the spinal tumor. A woman who faked having cancer and raked in more than 45,000 in donations from well-wishers has been jailed. Ms. Holmes also claimed that the Defense Department was deploying the companys test in battlefield settings, which was untrue, according to the complaint. When I stop feeling angry I feel sad this has changed me, she added. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, convicted by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court in November, Harry: I feared losing memories of mum during therapy, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78. She also shaved her head to fit the part. DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) - A woman accused of obtaining more than $37,000 in donations by falsely claiming she had cancer has pleaded not guilty.. Madison M. Russo, 19, filed her written plea . We've received your submission. Elkabbas was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, The fundraising campaign included a picture taken while she had been receiving routine gallbladder treatment, the court heard, Nicole Elkabbas told jurors that she was addicted to gambling, Elkabbas did not show "genuine empathy" for her victims, the judge said. After youve been living with a big lie on your chest for years, I can imagine it becomes part of your identity., He added that he is eager to move past the legal repercussions of her actions so that his family can work toward a healthier and brighter future., Her father, Thomas Maneri, also called Riley thoughtful and kind in his own written statement, adding that she put other peoples feelings often before her own., Ive tried to be equally supportive of Amanda, and although she didnt have cancer, she has struggled with several other physical health issues, he said. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. Woman who faked cancer sentenced to year in jail, $27K in restitution. Theranoss saga has proved mesmerizing: Tyler Shultz, the grandson of the former secretary of state and a Theranos director, was revealed to be a key source behind The Wall Street Journals investigation in 2016. 2023 BBC. "She took advantage of people's generosity and everyone's worse fear of a cancer diagnosis to get money for herself," Mike Noone, acting district attorney for Chester County, told ABC Philadelphia station WPVI. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, convicted by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court in November, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, Harry: I feared losing memories of mum during therapy, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Nelson's 97th-minute stunner gives Arsenal victory. He told police that, "to the best of his knowledge, his wife does not have cancer of any form and that she is covered on his medical insurance through his employer," the complaint reads. A Melbourne woman who faked having terminal cancer and scammed $42,000 from her parents' friends and neighbours so she could maintain her partying lifestyle, has been jailed for three months . She was charged with obstruction of justice in October, and she reported to prison at that time. Riley had no cancer-related expenses, and donors funds were simply deposited into Rileys personal bank account.. Elkabbas was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment after being convicted of fraud by false representation and possessing criminal property. Kirilow was sentenced to 10 months of house arrest, followed by five months where she would have a curfew. Jessica Smith allegedly told authorities that she was diagnosed with colon cancer in May and that was she was currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. [22] By. Her fall and the near-collapse of Theranos has been equally dramatic in the last few years. Reality Stars Who've Faced Jail Time. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. The first victims lent Wood money in autumn 2018 when she was still on license after being jailed for her previous fraud offences from when she lived in Countesthorpe. She also allegedly said that she had 16 inches of her colon removed showing a "non-descript document" that indicated she underwent surgery. 14,950 was obtained by fraud over the 18 months, and 11,600 of it has never been repaid. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, Elkabbas had been "in the grip of a gambling addiction" at the time of the offences, but had since sought treatment, he said. 6:14. Ashley Anne Kirilow (born 1987) is a Canadian who raised money to aid cancer sufferers, while pretending herself to be a cancer sufferer. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The latest group of victims were elderly residents who live near her home in Marwell Close, off Thurcaston Road, in Leicester. On August 20, 2011, a recognizance of $5000 was pledged, and she was released on bail with supervision by the John Howard Society. Kirilow had not spent the year between her arrest and her sentencing in jail. [41] On Tuesday . Iowa. A lawyer for Ms. Holmes, John Dwyer, declined to comment. That's on top of the one year . Amy Ellissa Hammer of Seagrove, North Carolina, was arrested Thursday when a . She acted as a friend to the victims and gained the couple's trust - so they lent her 5,000 to move her catering business to a new location and a further 2,700 in December the following year. Key points: Wieland was ordered to repay . [2][42]Skateboard personality Rob Dyer's organization Skate4Cancer Some photos appeared to be taken at Russos apartment instead of a medical office. "I judge that the remorse you may feel now is only partial, it stems to a significant extent from self-pityrather than genuine empathy at what you have done to your direct and indirect victims," he added. A woman tried to dodge prison by faking a cancer diagnosis to a California court, federal officials said. Police say that wasn't true at all. Ms. Holmes, a Stanford University dropout who founded her company, Theranos, at age 19, captivated investors and the public with her invention: a technology cheaply done at a local drugstore that could detect a range of illnesses, from diabetes to cancer. An Ohio mother is facing an abuse and neglect complaint for allegedly fabricating her daughter's terminal illness to "obtain funding for trips, housing, and other expenses of the last several . Wed., Aug. 4, 2021 timer 2 min. A woman who faked a cancer diagnosis to claim more than 45,000 in donations has been jailed for 33 months. He noticed that the photo had actually been taken at the Spencer Hospital in Margate.Police later learned that Barcelonas Teknon Clinic, where she said she was staying, had never even heard of her and the doctor she claimed was in charge of her treatment didnt exist, according to the report. Read about our approach to external linking. Later that day, Saroha confirmed to police that Jessica Smith was not receiving any treatment other than iron infusions for anemia, the complaint states. A North Carolina woman told her friend she was dying of cancer and needed money to live. Two more neighbours were conned by Wood telling them that she had served in the Army in Afghanistan and her boyfriend had died there. When you put all those factors together there's a public outcry. Elkabbas's lies also had a negative impact on genuine fundraisers, by promoting "scepticism and even cynicism in an area that can ill-afford it," the judge said. Prison, her purported oncologist stated, would be a death sentence for her. A woman who faked a cancer diagnosis to claim more than 45,000 in donations has been jailed for 33 months. Her support page, which was linked to her blog, detailed her battle with cancer, claiming she was diagnosed in June 2012 and had a brief remission until the lymphoma came back with a vengeance as Stage 4 metastatic cancer. Police claim she posted frequently to social media about her fake illness before getting caught. Zholia Alemi "had the power to detain mental health patients 2023 BBC. Sgt. Instead of the $105,513 in donations going toward cancer treatments, she pocketed the money and used it for daily needs. An Iowa woman falsely claimed to have leukemia and pancreatic cancer to bring in tens of thousands of dollars in donations, according to authorities. The money was instead spent on gambling and trips to Barcelona and Rome, the court heard. The employer also revealed that on that same day, July 31, Jessica Smith had taken off "because of the death of her father," according to the complaint. However, the court heard the image had actually been taken during routine gallbladder treatment several months earlier. A woman from Northern Kentucky has been accused of faking a cancer diagnosis in order to garner sympathy and ultimately money from her peers. Kirilow's Facebook page described a charity she said she set up, entitled Change for the Cure. Damar Hamlin fundraiser: Whats real and how to spot a scam, NJ woman sentenced on state charges for role in $400K GoFundMe scam, College scam mastermind Rick Singer gets 3.5 years in prison. ", "Even though the sums may be relatively low, it's the wicked way in which the lies were told continuously. Kirilow's lawyer, Brendan Neill, appeared on her behalf in a Milton court on October 1, 2010. "Jessica is facing tremendous medical bills, travel costs, paying for the care for her children and missed work," the GoFundMe campaign description read, according to the complaint. It was able to raise $100 million in debt last December, according to Crunchbase. That month marked a turning point: A series of articles in The Wall Street Journal cast doubt on whether the technology worked, leading to a spate of investigations. She also got one neighbour to walk her dog for her and accepted gifts, like a reclining chair, for her alleged injuries. Madison Russo, 19, is charged with theft after falsely claiming to be suffering from cancer. The companys future remains unclear. A GoFundMe spokesperson told ABC News that the campaign was reported as fraudulent and that it is working with law enforcement in the investigation. All of the funds will be refunded to the donors in full. [3], Since her case became public Kirilow's fraud has been cited as a cautionary example of the dangers posed by online fund-raising campaigns.[4]. (Scott County Jail) An Iowa woman falsely claimed to have . All donors have been refunded and we have removed this fundraiser. This offensive conduct is an affront to every person fighting that battle.. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Police began an investigation in 2018 after a doctor, who had recently given her the all-clear, saw her crowd-funding page and raised suspicions. [5] Federal authorities ultimately contacted the two physicians named in the letters, and both denied writing the notes. Maddie is currently undergoing vigorous chemotherapy and radiation treatments that make her very sick, but just like the Maddie we all know, she never gives up and is a fighter. Through its proprietary nanotainer devices, the company claimed to be able to perform myriad lab tests from just a few drops of blood, avoiding the pain and inconvenience of a conventional blood test. "We can confirm the person in question has had no contact with the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation and has never spoken at any of our events We are disheartened to hear that someone would fake a cancer diagnosis.". Russo shared her "cancer journey" on social media, a GoFundMe page and in a local media interview. Her sentence explicitly barred her community service from including any duties connected with fund-raising for charities. On the site, there was once a donate now button for generous people to fund her treatments, making donations in the name of supporting her. "You made mention of your child to gild the lily still further and to attempt to wring more cash out of those you had deceived.". Friends and neighbors rallied around Tina Stanley, but now the alleged elaborate scheme police say she carried out has done much more than just betray the trust of people in Marion. In fact, Riley had no cancer-related expenses, and donors funds were simply deposited into Rileys personal bank account.. In a vote of confidence, Walgreens signed onto a partnership in 2013 placing Theranos wellness centers inside some of its drugstores. It turned out that the image, which she used to evoke sympathy for her alleged ovarian cancer, was actually from a previous operation to remove her gallbladder, according to The Sun. Madison Russo, 19, is charged with theft after falsely claiming to be suffering from cancer. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? A detective followed up with her employer and was informed that Jessica Smith was a full-time employee on paid time off due to illness. "Your actions, as you well know, are insulting to those who must genuinely and courageously face the battle against cancer," he added. The well-known lawyer David Boies not only defended Theranos, but also joined the board at the height of the companys turmoil. But the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation said in a news release that it was "inadvertently named. She claimed a costly "breakthrough drug" could improve her chances, and included an image of her lying in a hospital bed. with muscular dystrophy or a mother who was diagnosed with Stage 4 terminal breast cancer. When she was supposed to pay the money back, she told them she had cancer and later that her mother had just died, which were both lies. [49][50], In 2013 Kirilow's case was compared with that of 35-year-old mother of three LeAnn Gorchinsky-Gripper, who falsely claimed she had ovarian cancer. Sentencing Elkabbass, Judge Weekes said she had "fought this case tooth and nail, refusing to accept the fact that you had not been diagnosed with cancer". Chavez pleaded guilty to the obstruction charge in April. She was sentenced to one further day in jail. GoFundMe said in a statement to McClatchy News that it has a "zero tolerance policy for misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing. "Bills and care for her children don't stop," the campaign, which raised $8,553 of its $15,000 goal and has since been removed by Facebook, stated.