For more than two years, 51-year-old Maribeth Ellen Jones told people she had cancer. She reportedly battled the disease very publicly and received support from hundreds of people in the Florida community where she worked. Loved ones held fundraisers to help her financially, and some cut her hair to prepare Jones for chemotherapy. But it appears her cancer wasn’t real, but the money she took from donations was. After people became aware of her alleged scam, Jones turned herself in to the police and now faces grand theft charges related to the scheme.
More than 200 people contributed to helping Jones.
Per an online statement from the Collier County Sheriff’s Department, an investigation found that Jones convinced people in a Naples community that she had cancer. She reportedly worked as the activities director in the community from 2022 to 2024 and shared during that time that she was going through cancer treatment. She reportedly defrauded residents out of more than $40,000. During the time, she allegedly did her best to make people believe she was preparing for chemotherapy and even had a resident cut her hair in preparation for treatment.
Jones became the beneficiary on two separate fundraising accounts.
@combatboots4u Maribeth Ellen Jones I’ve heard of someone else doing this too….”Allegedly”🤔 #shameful#con#dispicable#cancer#grossbehavior♬ Breath Of Victory – Clove Vance
Per the sheriff’s department, Jones allegedly became the beneficiary for two GoFundMe accounts to pay for her treatment and accepted cash and checks from residents. She allegedly used the money to pay off personal debts. She ultimately turned herself in to the Naples Jail Center on charges of grand theft of $20,000 to $100,000.
GoFundMe shared a statement with US Weekly condemning the alleged scheme…