TikToker Who Scammed Donors Out Of $37,000 Claiming She Had Cancer Pleads Guilty

Twisted TikToker Pleads Guilty & Now Facing 10 Years After Scamming Donors Of $37K

A 20-year-old Iowa woman who lied online about battling pancreatic cancer and having a tumor “the size of a football” to bilk donors out of $37,000 has fessed up to the scheme.

Madison “Maddie” Russo, from Bettendorf, appeared before a judge Wednesday and pleaded guilty to first-degree theft, a felony, reported station WQUAD.

When she’s sentenced at a later date, Russo could face up to 10 years in prison.

 

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Russo had initially pleaded not guilty to the theft charge stemming from her elaborate con, as part of which she pocketed donations from more than 439 unsuspecting well-wishers, including cancer organizations and school districts.

“People like this are the reason good people find it hard to donate to someone that actually needs the help,” someone commented.

“$37k for 10 years is not worth it..,” another person wrote. “The levels people go to just to not work lately is astonishing,” someone else added.