The person at the center of this case
Vanessa O'Rourke (wanted suspect)
Cold Case · Open - Wanted
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 #1What is Vanessa O'Rourke's current location 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 exist showing the flow of fraudulently obtained funds and which banks or payment methods were used?
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witness
Lead #3How many victims provided money and support, and have they all been identified and interviewed?
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 multiple leisure trips to Australia while claiming to pursue experimental cancer treatment, and organized fundraisers in Pennsylvania that generated additional donations based on her false medical claims. O'Rourke was indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in May 2018, and her current whereabouts remain unknown; anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI.
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 friends who could provide leads on her whereabouts?
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clue
Lead #5Were there accomplices who helped organize the fundraisers or facilitate the Australia trips?
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 and needs money for medical treatment
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2016-04-01
First Australia Trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia claiming to pursue experimental cancer treatment but engages in leisure activities instead
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2016-07-01
Fundraisers Organized
Upon return to United States, O'Rourke enlists friends and family to organize fundraisers including a webpage and benefit event at a Pennsylvania restaurant
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2016-09-01
Second Australia Trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia again using fraudulently obtained fundraiser money for leisure activities
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2018-05-03
Indictment
O'Rourke indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; federal warrant issued for arrest
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:October 31, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:October 31, 2026