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She Faked Cancer to Steal $40K From Neighbors — The Ultimate Betrayal
Woman Pretends to Have Cancer to Steal $40,000 from Neighbors
What Happened in Simple Terms
Imagine someone you know and trust tells you they’re very sick with cancer. You want to help, so you give them money for treatment. But then you find out they were never sick at all — they just made it all up to steal your money.
That’s exactly what happened in a community called Winding Cypress in Naples, Florida. A woman named Maribeth Jones, who was 51 years old, pretended to have cancer for two whole years (2022–2024). She stole more than $40,000 from 238 different people who believed her lies.
Who Is Maribeth Jones?
- Age: 51 years old
- Job: Activities Director for the Winding Cypress community (she planned events and activities for residents)
- Where: Bonita Springs, Florida
- What she did: Pretended to have cancer and undergo chemotherapy treatments
IMPORTANT POINT
Maribeth Jones has been arrested and charged with a serious crime called "Grand Theft" (stealing between $20,000 and $100,000). This is a second-degree felony — a very serious crime that can lead to prison time.
How She Fooled Everyone
Maribeth didn’t just say "I have cancer" once. She went to great lengths to make her story believable:
Her Tricks Included:
- Kept the lie going for 2 years (2022–2024)
- Claimed her condition was getting worse over time
- Had neighbors cut her hair — saying she was "preparing for chemotherapy" (chemo often makes hair fall out)
- Lied about her mother — said she was away taking care of her mom’s "arrangements" (implying her mom had died), but her mom was actually alive
- Accepted money in many ways:
- A GoFundMe page linked to her personal bank account
- Cash from neighbors
- Personal checks from residents
How the Community Found Out
Red Flags People Noticed:
| What People Saw | Why It Was Suspicious |
|---|---|
| She gained weight | Chemotherapy usually makes people lose weight, not gain it |
| Her stories didn’t add up | Details about her mom and treatments changed |
| She had done this before | Police found two previous GoFundMe campaigns where she claimed to have cancer |
Key People Who Spoke Up:
- Kellie Harris — Worked with Maribeth daily. She created the GoFundMe (because another resident asked her to) but didn’t donate herself because she was suspicious.
- Kay Ballard — Lived in the community 10 years, helped hire Maribeth. Her husband died of real cancer, so the betrayal hurt deeply.
HEARTBREAKING MOMENT
Kay Ballard said: "I’m really sad she isn’t who I thought she was."
Her husband died of actual cancer, making the lie even more painful.
What Happened to the Money?
- Total stolen: Over $41,000
- Number of victims: 238 residents
- GoFundMe’s response: Removed the fundraisers and refunded more than $41,000 to donors
- Where the money went: Police say Maribeth used it to pay her personal debts — not for medical treatment
What the Police Say
Sheriff Kevin Rambosk called this case "appalling" because:
"It exploited the kindness and generosity of people who truly wanted to help someone they believed was fighting for her life."
He also warned:
"This type of fraud not only hurts victims financially, it undermines trust in legitimate fundraisers for people who genuinely need help."
How to Protect Yourself: 5 Steps Before Donating
- Verify with family — Talk to the person’s close family members (not just the person asking for money)
- Check for proof — Ask for medical documentation or doctor’s notes
- Look at history — Has this person asked for money before? For the same reason?
- Use trusted platforms — GoFundMe has protections, but scammers still slip through
- Trust your gut — If something feels wrong (like weight gain during chemo), ask questions
Summary
- Maribeth Jones, 51, worked as an Activities Director in a Florida community
- She pretended to have cancer for 2 years (2022–2024)
- 238 neighbors gave her over $40,000 (cash, checks, GoFundMe)
- She lied about treatments, her mom’s death, and even had people cut her hair
- Red flags: weight gain, inconsistent stories, previous similar scams
- She was arrested and charged with Grand Theft (felony)
- GoFundMe refunded donors, but the emotional betrayal remains
- Sheriff warns: Verify fundraising stories before donating
FAQ
Did Maribeth Jones actually have cancer?
No. Police investigated and confirmed she never had cancer. She made the whole thing up to steal money.
How much money did she steal?
Over $40,000 (specifically, more than $41,000 was refunded by GoFundMe) from 238 different people.
What crime is she charged with?
Grand Theft between $20,000 and $100,000 — a second-degree felony in Florida. This is a serious crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Did the victims get their money back?
Yes, mostly. GoFundMe removed the fundraisers and refunded over $41,000 to donors. However, cash and personal checks given directly to her may not be recovered.
Has she done this before?
Yes. Police discovered she was the beneficiary of two previous GoFundMe campaigns where she also claimed to have cancer. This appears to be a pattern of behavior.
Final Thought
This story reminds us that most people are good and want to help — but a few bad actors take advantage of that kindness. Always verify before you donate, especially for medical fundraisers. Real people with real illnesses need our support, and scams like this make it harder for them to get help.
