The person at the center of this case
Vanessa O'Rourke (Fugitive)
Cold Case · Open - Fugitive Wanted
7 years waiting · since 2018
VANESSA O'ROURKE
Justice for Vanessa O'Rourke (Fugitive) — 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 attempted to contact family members since the indictment?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What financial records and bank transactions can establish the flow of fraudulently obtained funds to Australia?
👁️
witness
Lead #3How many individuals and organizations were defrauded, and what are their accounts of interactions with O'Rourke?
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 fraudulently obtained funds for purported medical treatment and travel to Australia for experimental therapy, but instead used the money for leisure activities while receiving no medical care. O'Rourke was indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in May 2018, and her current whereabouts remain unknown.
Case
#516
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; FBI
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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.
📞
contact
Lead #4Does O'Rourke have known associates or accomplices who may have aided in the fraud scheme?
💡
clue
Lead #5What documents or medical records were falsified to support the glioblastoma diagnosis claim?
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
📞
2015-10
Fraudulent Scheme Begins
O'Rourke begins falsely representing to family and friends that she has been diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma
📍
2016-04
First Trip to Australia
O'Rourke travels to Australia claiming to seek experimental cancer treatment but engages in leisure activities instead
📋
2016-07
Fundraisers Organized
Friends and family organize two fundraisers including a benefit event at a local Pennsylvania restaurant and establish a webpage to collect donations
📍
2016
Second Trip to Australia
O'Rourke travels to Australia again using fraudulently obtained funds for leisure activities with no medical treatment
🕵️
2018-05-03
Federal Indictment
O'Rourke indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in the 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:April 29, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:April 29, 2026