Greedy female influencer's reputation shredded as she's convicted of scamming friends with fake travel scheme and false cancer diagnosis

Published: 21:54, 3 July 2026 | Updated: 21:58, 3 July 2026 A Las Vegas influencer who conned friends and relatives out of more than $20,000 in a scam luxury travel scheme before faking pancreatic cancer has reported to jail to begin serving her sentence.  Haleigh Morgan Knight, 30, turned herself in on Wednesday after being sentenced last month to two years of probation with the first 30 days to be served behind bars, according to court records first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Knight pleaded guilty in March to one felony count of theft after prosecutors accused her of posing as a social media influencer and travel adviser for Four Seasons Hotels to convince acquaintances to pay deposits for lavish vacations that never existed. She was also ordered to pay more than $19,700 in restitution in monthly installments of $825. Knight's attorney, Ryan Helmick, had asked the court to allow her to serve her jail sentence on weekends so she could continue working. But he later withdrew the request, saying serving the sentence consecutively was ultimately in his client's best interest. 'She has been punished,' Helmick told the Review-Journal. 'She acknowledged her wrongdoing. The case is closed. Hopefully, she can move on with her life without any harassment.' The criminal case stemmed from allegations that between June 2023 and April 2024, Knight convinced former high school classmate Cydney Fink and members of her family that she worked as a luxury travel content creator affiliated with Four Seasons Hotels. Haleigh Morgan Knight (right), who scammed friends and family out of thousands of dollars and faked a cancer diagnosis when they tried to claim refunds, has turned herself in Knight later admitted she faked having pancreatic cancer, telling investigators she hoped the diagnosis would make friends and family more sympathetic toward her Fink previously told investigators Knight invited her family on international trips, collected thousands of dollars in upfront 'deposits,' then repeatedly claimed refunds were impossible after the vacations never materialized. Police said Cydney Fink, her sister Corey Fink and their mother Leann Fink collectively sent Knight $20,192.16 through digital payment platforms. Investigators said Knight admitted taking the money. Authorities also alleged she fabricated a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and used the false claim to solicit donations through a GoFundMe campaign after victims began questioning where their money had gone. According to previous court documents, Knight later admitted she invented the diagnosis because she believed friends and family 'would feel guilty and more inclined to love and be around her if she claimed she was sick.' Police said she also admitted creating a fake representative named 'Beatrice' to help sell the illusion of legitimate luxury travel bookings and explain away repeated cancellations. The case drew widespread attention after additional alleged victims came forward. Among them was oncologist and breast cancer survivor Suzanne Duroy, who said she donated nearly $1,000 in gift cards and other presents after believing Knight's cancer claims and spent hours speaking with her by phone. Knight went as far as documenting her fake treatments on TikTok and blaming the illness for why she couldn't keep her promises, according to police Knight's GoFundMe page that has since been taken down Former employer Rachel Riedel also accused Knight of convincing her to send money for luxury items, including a Rolex, by claiming she had access to exclusive influencer discounts. Riedel later contacted MD Anderson Cancer Center hoping to donate toward Knight's treatment, only to learn the hospital had no record of her. Court records show Knight's sentence includes a provision allowing her felony conviction to eventually be reduced. If she successfully completes probation, repays the required restitution and satisfies all other conditions, she will be permitted to withdraw her felony guilty plea and instead plead guilty to misdemeanor theft with credit for time served. The victims, however, said they were disappointed Knight avoided a longer jail sentence. 'I think she deserves more time, but am glad she got something,' Cydney Fink told the Review-Journal. Her mother, Leann Fink, echoed those sentiments. 'It would have been nice if she got more of a punishment,' she said. 'More time is definitely deserved.' Corey Fink said delivering a victim impact statement in court helped illustrate the damage the scheme caused her family. 'I personally only feel she was sorry she was caught,' Corey Fink said. 'I don't really feel like she learned her lesson.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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