HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. — A former Montgomery County woman remains wanted by the FBI years after federal authorities say she faked a terminal cancer diagnosis and used donations meant for medical treatment on personal expenses and leisure travel.
Vanessa O’Rourke, 37, formerly of Harleysville, is wanted on 15 counts of wire fraud. According to the FBI, O’Rourke allegedly told family, friends and supporters that she had been diagnosed with glioblastoma, a terminal form of brain cancer, and claimed she needed financial help for medical treatment and living expenses.
Federal authorities say the alleged scheme took place from approximately October 2015 through July 2016. Investigators said O’Rourke told supporters she needed to travel to Australia for experimental cancer treatment. Instead, authorities allege she traveled to Australia, took part in leisure activities, and received no medical treatment.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, more than 140 people donated $11,740 through a GoFundMe campaign after allegedly being misled by O’Rourke’s claims. Federal prosecutors said the money was used for personal expenses, including leisure activities, rather than cancer treatment.
After returning to the United States, investigators said O’Rourke had friends and family help organize additional fundraisers, including an online fundraiser and a benefit event at a Pennsylvania restaurant. Authorities allege those donations were also used for another trip to Australia, where she again received no medical care.
O’Rourke was indicted in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 3, 2018, and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest. The indictment was later unsealed in 2020. Federal authorities said she was last known to be residing in Queensland, Australia.
The FBI lists O’Rourke under its White-Collar Crimes Most Wanted section. Federal officials say she has used the aliases Vanessa Gulinello and Cecilia Vincent Gaeta Lazaro. The FBI describes her as 5 feet 7 inches tall, 170 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information on O’Rourke’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
O’Rourke is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
