A TikTok/er from Iowa has been arrested for allegedly scamming donors over her fake cancer diagnosis.
19-year-old Madison Russo has been accused of defrauding hundreds of contributors out of more than $37,000 by fabricating a condition she never had in order to raise money on TikTok and GoFundMe.
Russo shared her “cancer journey” on social media, a GoFundMe page, and in a local media interview. Witnesses claiming to have medical experience said they noticed “many medical discrepancies” in Russo’s social media posts and contacted the police.
Medical professionals observed “terrible life-threatening inaccuracies of her medical equipment placement on her body,” according to court documents. Some photos appeared to be taken at Russo’s apartment instead of a medical office.
WATCH her Terrible lies below:
According to reports, Police found wigs, anti-nausea pills in a relative’s name, and fake medical supplies in Russo’s apartment. GoFundMe refunded all of the money back to the donors.
More details of this report from ABC News:
Authorities say a 19-year-old woman scammed more than 400 donors, accumulating over $37,000, with false claims that she suffered from cancer, which she had allegedly touted on social media.
Madison Russo was charged with theft on Jan. 23, according to the Eldridge Police Department in Eldridge, Iowa.
According to the press release, Russo allegedly made false claims including that “she suffered acute lymphoblastic leukemia, stage 2 pancreatic cancer and a tumor the size of a football.”
In an investigation, subpoenas for medical records were obtained and confirmed Russo has never been diagnosed with any kind of cancer or tumor from any medical facilities in the area.
A GoFundMe page was allegedly established on behalf of Russo and was highlighted in a local newspaper, and she was also a guest speaker at St. Ambrose University, the National Pancreas Foundation in Chicago and on a podcast for Project Purple, the press release said.
Authorities said witnesses “who have medical experience” worked with an investigating officer to find “medical discrepancies” in Russo’s photos posted on her social media, discovering Russo allegedly accepted private donations from “other businesses, nonprofit organizations, school districts and private citizens.”
Russo is now charged with theft after purporting to be suffering from “leukemia, stage 2 pancreatic cancer and a tumor, the size of a football, that wrapped around her spine,” the Eldridge Police Department said in a news release. She faces up to 10 years if convicted of the first-degree theft charge.
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, ABC News