NAPLES, Fla. – A Bonita Springs woman has been arrested after investigators say she falsely claimed to have cancer and accepted more than $40,000 in donations from residents who believed they were helping pay for her medical treatment.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of 51-year-old Maribeth Ellen Jones, who is charged with grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000.
According to investigators, Jones defrauded 238 residents of a Naples community while working as the community’s activities director.
Detectives said that between 2022 and 2024, Jones repeatedly told residents she had cancer and was undergoing treatment. Investigators allege she went to great lengths to make the deception believable, including pretending her condition was worsening and asking community members to cut her hair in preparation for chemotherapy.
Believing Jones was seriously ill, residents organized a GoFundMe campaign that directed donations to her personal bank account. Investigators said she also accepted cash and personal checks from community members.
The investigation further revealed that Jones had previously benefited from two other GoFundMe campaigns in which she also claimed to have cancer.
Detectives determined Jones never had cancer and instead used the donated money to pay personal debts.
Jones turned herself in at the Naples Jail Center after detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging her with the second-degree felony.
“This is 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,” Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said. “If you lie to steal from the generosity of others in Collier County, we will arrest you and hold you accountable.”
Rambosk also warned that scams like this can discourage people from supporting legitimate fundraising efforts.
“This type of scam not only hurts victims financially, it undermines trust in legitimate fundraisers for people who genuinely need help,” he said.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone considering donating to an online fundraiser to verify the story through trusted family members or friends, review updates and documentation from organizers, be cautious of high-pressure requests for immediate donations, and, when possible, donate directly to a verified charity, hospital or the individual in need.