One Florida woman has found herself in deep trouble. After using GoFundMe to execute a scam that defrauded hundreds of people out of thousands of dollars.
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A Florida woman named Maribeth Ellen Jones was recently arrested. She was accused of lying about having cancer and using the GoFundMe platform to scam more than 200 donors out of more than $40,000.
Florida Woman Lied About Cancer For Donations on GoFundMe
On August 5, the 51-year-old Bonita Springs resident was arrested. Police charged her with grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000, according to online jail records.
"Detectives said she went to great lengths to make her story believable. Including pretending her condition was worsening. And even having community members cut her hair under the guise of preparing for chemotherapy," the sheriff's office said
So how exactly did Jones get caught? It happened after members of her community started a GoFundMe account on her behalf. Donations made to the GoFundMe page went directly to Jones' personal bank account. In addition, some other people gifted her checks and, in some cases, cash.
Jones Had Other GoFundMe Accounts
An investigation uncovered that Jones had also been listed as a beneficiary for two previous GoFundMe accounts that accepted donations. Where she also claimed to have cancer, according to the report. Amid the investigations, authorities found no record of her ever having cancer. And said that she used the accumulated funds for personal matters.
Following Jones' arrest, Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk called Jones' actions "appalling." Especially considering what people were led to believe they were donating to.
"This is an appalling case. Because it exploited the kindness and generosity of people who truly wanted to help someone they believed was fighting for her life," Rambosk said in the statement (via PEOPLE). "If you lie to steal from the generosity of others in Collier County, we will arrest you. And hold you accountable."
A spokesperson for GoFundMe also stated this to the outlet. They stood firm on having "zero tolerance" for the "misuse" of their platform. They also confirmed that Jones had been banned from the platform indefinitely. And that "more than $41,000" had been refunded to donors who contributed to Jones' campaign.
She is due to appear in court on August 31.
