Hundreds of Naples residents gave from their hearts when a Bonita Springs woman told them she was battling cancer, Collier County Sheriff’s Office said.
But her two-year lie unfolded as detectives probed her background.
Maribeth Ellen Jones, 51, took more than $40,000 defrauding 238 residents while serving as activities director in their community, the sheriff’s social media posts indicate. She faces a grand theft charge.
“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.”
After she told the residents she was undergoing treatment for cancer in 2022-24, they created a GoFundMe page for Jones linked to her bank account. Resident also gave her cash and personal checks.
Instead of treatment, she paid off debts, deputies said.
Detectives said to make her story believable, Jones pretended her condition was worsening and had community members cut her hair under the guise of preparing for chemotherapy.
Detectives found she had been the beneficiary of two previous GoFundMe campaigns in which she claimed to have cancer, the post indicated.
Jones turned herself in at the Naples Jail Center the week of Aug. 3 after detectives obtained a warrant for her arrest on the second-degree felony charge.
“This type of scam not only hurts victims financially, it undermines trust in legitimate fundraisers for people who genuinely need help,” Rambosk said.
GoFundMe removed the request from their platform.
“GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and anyone who seeks to take advantage of the generosity of others,” the company said in a statement. “We can confirm fundraisers organized on behalf of Maribeth Jones were removed from our platform, and her account was banned for any future fundraising. More than $41,000 was refunded to donors on the platform through GoFundMe’s Giving Guarantee, which offers a full refund in the rare case something isn’t right.”
Colier Sheriff: Consider these tips before donating online
Here are some safety tips to consider before donating to any online fundraiser:
∎ Always do your homework first before donating. Verify the story through trusted family members and friends.
∎ Look for updates, documentation and transparency from the organizer.
∎ Look at the comments and donations. Are family, friends or community members making donations and leaving supportive comments?
∎ Be cautious if you’re pressured to donate quickly or if the story can’t be independently confirmed.
∎ When possible, donate directly to the individual, hospital or a verified charity.
Stacey Henson is a breaking news and visuals editor for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her at shenson@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples activity director accused of preying on community’s good nature
Reporting by Stacey Henson, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Stacey Henson, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
