Florida Woman Arrested for Fake Cancer GoFundMe Scam

Ellen Jones, 51, of Bonita Springs, Florida, was arrested on August 5, 2026, and charged with grand theft and scheme to defraud after allegedly faking cancer to scam donors. From 2022 to 2024, Jones, an activities director in a Naples community, told residents she had cancer and was undergoing treatment, even having her hair cut to simulate chemotherapy. Community members created a GoFundMe campaign linked to her personal bank account, and she also received cash and checks. The United States — Collier County Sheriff s Office investigation found she defrauded 238 residents out of more than $40,000, using the money to pay personal debts. Detectives also discovered two earlier GoFundMe campaigns from 2018 with similar claims. Jones admitted she fabricated the cancer story because she liked the attention. GoFundMe removed the fundraisers, banned her account, and refunded over $41,000 to donors through its Giving Guarantee. Jones turned herself in at the United States — Naples Jail Center and faces a court date on August 31.