A Florida woman was arrested after authorities said she falsely claimed to have cancer and scammed more than 200 people out of more than $40,000 to pay off personal debts.
Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, of Bonita Springs, has been charged with grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000. She turned herself in at the Naples Jail Center this week after detectives obtained 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 in the community, allegedly told residents between 2022 and 2024 that she had cancer and was undergoing treatment, leading more than 200 people to donate to her because they believed she needed help.
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Detectives said she even pretended her condition was worsening and had community members cut her hair to make it appear she was preparing to undergo chemotherapy.
Community members created a GoFundMe page for Jones that was linked to her personal bank account, according to the sheriff's office. They also gave her cash and personal checks.
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Jones had been the beneficiary of two previous GoFundMe campaigns in which she also claimed to have cancer, the sheriff's office said.
"GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and anyone who seeks to take advantage of the generosity of others," a GoFundMe spokesperson told Fox 13.
"We can confirm fundraisers organized on behalf of Maribeth Jones were removed from our platform, and her account was banned for any future fundraising. More than $41,000 was refunded to donors on the platform through GoFundMe’s Giving Guarantee, which offers a full refund in the rare case something isn’t right," the spokesperson continued.
Detectives said their investigation determined Jones did not have cancer and that she used the donated money to pay personal debts.
She is accused of defrauding 238 Naples residents out of more than $40,000.
"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," Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in a statement. "If you lie to steal from the generosity of others in Collier County, we will arrest you and hold you accountable."
"This type of scam not only hurts victims financially, it undermines trust in legitimate fundraisers for people who genuinely need help," Rambosk added.
