Authorities allege Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, posed as a cancer patient from 2022 to 2024 and persuaded neighbors to donate for medical expenses. Detectives say she staged symptoms and even had people cut her hair to simulate chemotherapy. Investigators found two earlier fundraisers tied to the scheme and say 238 residents were defrauded of more than $40,000. GoFundMe removed the campaigns, refunded more than $41,000 to donors, and Jones remains in custody pending a court date on Aug. 31.
Florida Woman Allegedly Faked Cancer, Scammed 238 Neighbors Out Of More Than $40K
Collier County Sheriff's Office/Facebook; Ingram Publishing/Newscom/The Mega Agency
For nearly two years, neighbors in a Naples community believed they were supporting a resident through cancer treatment. Authorities now say that compassion was exploited: investigators allege Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, fabricated the illness and used donations to pay personal debts.
According to a Collier County Sheriff’s Office press release dated Aug. 7, Jones of Bonita Springs — who worked as an activities director in Naples — was arrested on Aug. 5 and charged with grand theft between $20,000 and $100,000.
Maribeth Ellen Jones/Facebook
Detectives say Jones repeatedly told neighbors between 2022 and 2024 that she had cancer and was undergoing treatment. Investigators allege she took steps to make the story appear authentic, including suggesting her condition was deteriorating and arranging for community members to cut her hair under the pretense of preparing for chemotherapy.
"Detectives said she went to great lengths to make her story believable, including pretending her condition was worsening and even having community members cut her hair under the guise of preparing for chemotherapy," the sheriff's office said.
Moved by her story, residents created a GoFundMe campaign that directed donations into an account linked to Jones. Others gave cash or wrote personal checks. Investigators later identified two earlier GoFundMe fundraisers that were also based on the same false cancer claim.
Maribeth Ellen Jones/Facebook
Authorities say the scheme victimized 238 people and netted more than $40,000 — funds that were used to pay Jones’s personal debts rather than for medical care.
GoFundMe confirmed it removed all fundraisers tied to Jones, permanently banned her account, and that more than $41,000 has been refunded to donors through the platform’s Giving Guarantee program.
After detectives obtained a warrant on the second-degree felony charge, Jones turned herself in at the Naples Jail Center. She remains in custody at the Collier County Jail. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 31. There is no public update on whether she has retained legal counsel, and she has not yet entered a plea.
"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," Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said in the release.
The investigation underscores the risks of charitable giving without verification, and the case is a reminder that crowdfunding platforms and law enforcement continue to take action when fundraisers appear fraudulent.
Help us improve.
