Madison Russo, a 19-year-old from Iowa, is facing charges of theft by deception after tricking over 439 donors into donating more than $37,000 to her GoFundMe page by falsely claiming to have acute lymphoblastic leukemia, stage 2 pancreatic cancer, and a “football-sized tumor wrapped around her spine.” Russo’s story gained traction after she shared posts about her “cancer journey” on TikTok, set up a GoFundMe page, gave an interview to a local newspaper, and discussed her story at St. Ambrose University, The National Pancreatic Foundation in Chicago, and a podcast for Project Purple.
Medical experts on TikTok pointed out that Russo had connected cords and tubes on an IV pole incorrectly in videos claiming to show her chemo treatment, leading to her exposure. Police found a fake wig, an IV pole with a feeding pump filled with cotton balls, medical supplies in a relative’s name, and cash when they raided Russo’s apartment. Subpoenaed medical records showed that Russo had never been diagnosed with any kind of cancer or tumor from any medical facilities within the Quad Cities or surrounding cities.
GoFundMe refunded all donors, removed the fundraiser, and banned Russo from using the platform for any future fundraisers. Russo accepted private donations from businesses, non-profit organizations, school districts, and private citizens. This has led to police asking for help in locating additional people, organizations, or businesses who may have donated to Russo.
Russo was released on a $10,000 bond and is due in court next month. Organizations affiliated with Russo when she presented herself as a poster child for cancer awareness are now distancing themselves from her. Russo has been charged with felony first-degree theft over an alleged cancer fundraising scam and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
This case highlights the need for caution when making donations, especially for medical causes. It is essential to verify the authenticity of the fundraiser and the legitimacy of the individual or organization behind it. Fraudulent fundraising schemes, such as Russo’s, can cause genuine harm to those who are genuinely in need of support. It can also result in a loss of trust in crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe.
Russo’s story is not an isolated incident. There have been multiple cases of fraudulent fundraising schemes, leading to the loss of millions of dollars. It is essential to be vigilant and do thorough research before donating to any fundraiser. This case also highlights the power of social media and the need for responsible use of such platforms. The consequences of abusing such platforms can be severe, both legally and socially.
