The person at the center of this case
Vanessa O'Rourke (wanted suspect)
Cold Case · Open - Wanted by FBI
8 years waiting · since 2018
VANESSA O'ROURKE
Justice for Vanessa O'Rourke (wanted suspect) — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Vanessa O'Rourke currently located and has she used any of her known aliases (Vanessa Gulinello, Cecilia Vincent Gaeta Lazaro) since 2018?
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evidence
Lead #2What financial records and bank transactions document the flow of fraudulently obtained funds to Australia?
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witness
Lead #3How many individuals and organizations were defrauded, and are there additional victims beyond family and friends who contributed to the fundraisers?
Vanessa O'Rourke is wanted for wire fraud involving an elaborate scheme where she falsely claimed to have terminal brain cancer (glioblastoma) to solicit money from family and friends between 2015 and 2016. She used fraudulently obtained funds to take leisure trips to Australia instead of receiving medical treatment, and organized fundraisers in Pennsylvania that generated additional donations under false pretenses. O'Rourke was indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in May 2018, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.
Case
#516
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Philadelphia Field Office; United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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contact
Lead #4Has O'Rourke maintained contact with any family members or associates who could provide leads on her current whereabouts?
💡
clue
Lead #5What activities did O'Rourke engage in during her two Australia trips, and did she establish any connections or residences there?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Wire Fraud (Fifteen Counts) Caution: Vanessa O’Rourke is wanted for allegedly fraudulently representing to her family and friends that she had been diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer known as a glioblastoma, and told them she needed money to aid in her medical treatment and to support her while she was ill. Between October of 2015 and July of 2016, O'Rourke further represented to family and friends that she needed to travel to Australia to participate in an experimental treatment for her purported cancer.
Through her false and fraudulent pretenses, her family and others provided money and support. In or around April of 2016, O'Rourke traveled to Australia, where she engaged in a variety of leisure activities and did not receive any medical treatment.
Upon her return to the United States, O'Rourke enlisted her friends and family to organize two fundraisers on her behalf. A webpage was established and a benefit event held at a local restaurant in Pennsylvania, both resulting in numerous people providing donations for her purported cancer treatment.
O'Rourke utilized those funds to travel to Australia again in or around 2016, where she again engaged in various leisure activities and received no medical treatment for her nonexistent illness. O'Rourke was indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on May 3, 2018, and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest.
Timeline of Events
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2015-10-01
Fraud scheme begins
O'Rourke begins fraudulently representing to family and friends that she has terminal glioblastoma
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2016-04-01
First Australia trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia claiming to seek experimental cancer treatment but engages in leisure activities instead
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2016-07-31
Fundraisers organized
Upon return to US, O'Rourke enlists friends and family to organize fundraisers including a webpage and benefit event at Pennsylvania restaurant
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2016-11-01
Second Australia trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia again using fraudulently obtained fundraiser money for leisure activities
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2018-05-03
Federal indictment
O'Rourke indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in US District Court for Eastern District of Pennsylvania; federal warrant issued for arrest
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:June 15, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:June 15, 2026