A disturbing case of alleged fraud has shaken the Adelaide community, as a couple stands accused of faking their six-year-old son’s cancer diagnosis to rake in thousands of dollars from sympathetic donors.
The Fake Diagnosis: A “Cruel” Scheme
It all began about three weeks ago, when the mother took to social media to share the devastating news that her son was battling eye cancer. The very next day, a crowdfunding page was set up, pleading with friends, family, and the boy’s private school to donate to his ongoing treatment.
A Masterclass in Deception
Police allege that the mother, who works at a hairdresser, went to great lengths to convince the public of her son’s illness. She allegedly asked a colleague to shave the boy’s hair and eyebrows off, and then placed him in a wheelchair with bandages to mimic the side effects of cancer treatment. The ruse was so convincing that the couple managed to raise a staggering $60,000 from their unwitting victims.
The Police Investigation
The alleged scam was reported to police on November 26, and an investigation was launched. Officers were shocked to discover that the boy was not receiving treatment for cancer, and the couple was arrested earlier today.
“A Devious and Cruel Scheme”
Acting Assistant Commissioner John DeCandia described the actions of the couple as “devious and cruel,” saying, “I couldn’t think of a more insidious scheme that the parents have done to their own child.” He added, “It’s abhorrent that people would seek to profit for their own greed and selfishness from such an insidious disease as cancer which impacts so many families in our community.”
The Children Removed from Their Parents
As a result of the investigation, the six-year-old boy and his sibling have been removed from their parents’ care and placed with a relative. Police believe the fake illness has caused significant psychological harm to the children, who will receive ongoing support from the Department of Child Protection and Child Protection Services.
The Parents Face Serious Charges
The couple is now facing two counts each of criminal neglect and deceiving another to benefit self. They appeared in court via videolink, where the mother was denied bail due to concerns she may interfere with the investigation. The father was granted a home detention report, and will learn his fate next week.
A Warning to Donors: Be Cautious of Scams
Police are urging anyone who believes they may have donated money to the family to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or attend a police station. This shocking case serves as a stark reminder to be cautious of scams and to verify the authenticity of charitable causes before donating.