A Florida woman has been taken into custody following allegations that she falsely claimed to have cancer, defrauding more than 200 individuals of over $40,000 which she reportedly used to settle personal financial obligations.
Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, of Bonita Springs, faces a second-degree felony charge of grand theft, specifically for an amount between $20,000 and $100,000. She surrendered to authorities at the Naples Jail Center this week after detectives secured an arrest warrant, according to details released by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
Allegations of Deception and Fundraising Efforts
Investigators state that between 2022 and 2024, Jones, who served as an activities director within her community, informed residents that she was battling cancer and undergoing treatment. This led more than 200 people to contribute financially, believing they were assisting someone in critical need.
Detectives further allege that Jones escalated her deception by pretending her health was deteriorating. She reportedly had community members cut her hair, creating the impression she was preparing for chemotherapy treatments.
Community members reportedly established a fundraising page for Jones, which was linked directly to her personal bank account. She also allegedly received cash and personal checks. The sheriff's office noted that Jones had previously been the beneficiary of two other online fundraising campaigns, both of which also involved claims of a cancer diagnosis.
GoFundMe's Response and Investigation Findings
A spokesperson for the online fundraising platform stated, "GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and anyone who seeks to take advantage of the generosity of others." The platform confirmed that fundraising efforts organized on behalf of Maribeth Jones were removed, and her account has been permanently banned from future fundraising activities. The spokesperson added that over $41,000 was returned to donors through the platform’s Giving Guarantee, which ensures a full refund in instances where something is amiss.
The investigation conducted by detectives concluded that Jones did not have cancer and that the funds donated were used to cover her personal debts. She is accused of defrauding 238 residents of Naples, with the total amount exceeding $40,000.
Sheriff's Statement on the Case
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk issued a statement regarding the case, calling it "an appalling case because it exploited the kindness and generosity of people who truly wanted to help someone they believed was fighting for her life."
Rambosk emphasized the commitment to accountability, stating, "If you lie to steal from the generosity of others in Collier County, we will arrest you and hold you accountable." He also highlighted the broader negative impact of such scams, noting, "This type of scam not only hurts victims financially, it undermines trust in legitimate fundraisers for people who genuinely need help."
