Find out ‘Is Maddie Russo Really Suffering From Pancreatic Cancer?’ Madison “Maddie” Russo, an Iowa woman, has recently made headlines for making fake cancer claims.
The Iowa woman has spoken about her condition on various podcasts and in the North Scott Press newspaper. She had also put up a GoFundMe website, saying that the money would be used to cure her cancer.
She is being prosecuted with theft when it was discovered that she lied about the disease. Through the crowdsourcing portal, the 19-year-old allegedly raised more than $37,000.
Maddie apparently raised money through individual donations and various non-profit groups in addition to GoFundMe.
Is Maddie Russo Really Suffering From Pancreatic Cancer?
Maddie Russo’s pancreatic cancer claim was exposed as a hoax.
Russo revealed on social media that she had acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as stage 2 pancreatic cancer.
Russo also claimed to have a football-sized tumor wrapped around her spine.
Aside from social media, the 19-year-old told her story to news outlets, pleading for help and donations.
Everything the Iowa woman said about being a cancer sufferer turned out to be a big money-laundering scheme.
She was active on Facebook and discussed the situation in several channels, seeking sympathy and money.
GoFundMe Scandal Explained
Maddie Russo caused a major issue on the crowdsourcing website GoFundMe.
The Elderidge Police Department accused Maddie of raising more than $37,303 from over 400 donations via GoFundMe.
Her tale was taken up on social media and included in an October 2022 edition of the North Scott Press newspaper, where she told her cancer ordeal.
As a guest speaker at The National Pancreatic Foundation in Chicago, St Ambrose University, the 21-year-old also freely discussed her cancer story.
She also discussed her condition on an online webcast for Project Purple, which drew sympathy from other Americans.
Is Maddie Russo Arrested?
Earlier, the Elderidge Police Department issued a statement regarding Maddie Russo’s arrest.
According to the statement, the Elderidge PD was made aware of the scandal on January 11, 2023.
The cops found no medical documents indicating Madison had been diagnosed with any type of malignant tumor from any of the surrounding communities.
As a result, on January 23, 2023, the Elderidge Police Department arrested Madison from St. Ambrose University in Davenport for stealing by deception, a class C felony.
The police also executed a search warrant at her home in Bettendorf, Iowa, where they discovered evidence.
Russo accepted private donations from non-profit organizations, businesses, school districts, and private residents in addition to the GoFundMe donation.
The 19-year-old was arrested and detained in the Scott County Jail on a $10,000 cash-only bond. Her arraignment is scheduled on February 23, 2023.
