FBI hunts Pennsylvania woman indicted for fake cancer fraud

Federal authorities are intensifying their search for a Pennsylvania woman indicted for allegedly fabricating a terminal brain cancer diagnosis to defraud family, friends, and supporters out of thousands of dollars. Vanessa O’Rourke, 37, remains a fugitive years after a federal grand jury charged her with 15 counts of wire fraud.

According to the FBI, O’Rourke began telling loved ones in 2015 that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. She claimed traditional treatments had failed and that she needed to travel to Australia for an experimental procedure to survive. Officials allege these claims were entirely false.

Between October 2015 and July 2016, O’Rourke, then a 28-year-old student, reportedly received approximately $11,740 in donations from more than 140 people. In April 2016, she traveled to Australia. Investigators state she engaged in leisure activities and sightseeing during this trip and received no medical treatment.

Upon returning to her home in Harleysville, Pennsylvania, O’Rourke allegedly continued the scheme by requesting further financial support. Friends and family organized a fundraising webpage and held a benefit event at...