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
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suspect
Lead #1What is Vanessa O'Rourke's current location and identity? Has she used any of her known aliases (Vanessa Gulinello, Cecilia Vincent Gaeta Lazaro) since the warrant was issued?
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evidence
Lead #2What financial records and bank transfers document the flow of fraudulently obtained money to O'Rourke's accounts?
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contact
Lead #3Which family members and friends were primary donors, and have they been contacted as witnesses or victims in the prosecution?
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 based on her false illness. 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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Did O'Rourke maintain contact with anyone in the United States or abroad after fleeing, and are there any social media or communication traces?
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location
Lead #5Are there any known residences, safe houses, or associates in Australia or elsewhere that law enforcement should investigate?
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 brain cancer (glioblastoma)
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2016-04-01
First Australia trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia claiming to receive experimental cancer treatment but engages in leisure activities instead
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2016-07-01
Fundraisers organized
Upon return, O'Rourke enlists friends and family to organize fundraisers; webpage established and benefit event held at Pennsylvania restaurant
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2016-09-01
Second Australia trip
O'Rourke travels to Australia again using fraudulently obtained fundraiser donations for leisure activities
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2018-05-03
Indictment and warrant
O'Rourke indicted on 15 counts of wire fraud in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; federal arrest warrant issued
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:September 12, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:October 1, 2015
Last Updated:September 12, 2026