A Florida woman has been arrested and charged with grand theft for allegedly scamming more than 200 people out of over $40,000 by falsely claiming to have cancer. Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, of Bonita Springs, surrendered to authorities after detectives secured a warrant for her arrest on the second-degree felony charge.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, Jones, who worked as an activities director, told community members between 2022 and 2024 that she was undergoing cancer treatment. These claims prompted more than 200 individuals to donate money, believing she needed assistance. The sheriff's office stated that Jones even intensified the ruse by pretending her condition was worsening and had community members cut her hair to simulate the effects of chemotherapy.
Donations were facilitated through a GoFundMe page linked to Jones's personal bank account, as well as through cash and personal checks. This was not the first time Jones had allegedly used a cancer diagnosis to solicit funds; she had been the beneficiary of two previous GoFundMe campaigns with similar claims.
A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed that fundraisers organized on behalf of Jones were removed from their platform, and her account was banned. The company stated that over $41,000 was refunded to donors through GoFundMe's Giving Guarantee.
Detectives concluded their investigation by determining that Jones did not have cancer and that she had used the donated funds to settle personal debts. She is accused of defrauding 238 Naples residents.
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk stated that the case was particularly appalling due to the exploitation of the generosity of people who genuinely wanted to help someone they believed was fighting for her life. He added that such scams not only cause financial harm to victims but also erode public trust in legitimate fundraising efforts for those in genuine need. The sheriff emphasized that individuals who deceive others to steal from their generosity in Collier County will be arrested and held accountable.
In a separate case, Aimee Bock, described as the mastermind behind the 'Feeding Our Future' fraud scheme, was sentenced to 41.5 years in prison by a Minnesota judge. That scheme involved the theft of nearly $250 million in COVID-19 relief funds intended for children's meals. Bock's defense argued that many actions were beyond her control, while prosecutors pointed to the lasting damage and diminished public trust resulting from her criminal activities.