Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Woman charged with Qld fundraising fraud
A woman in Queensland has been accused of fraudulently raising money on a fundraising page by claiming it would be spent on treating her cancer.
October 18, 2018
A woman in Townsville has allegedly gained $55,000 by fraudulently claiming on a fundraising site the money would be used to treat her stage five ovarian cancer.
Lucy Wieland, 27, of Douglas, was granted bail after she appeared in Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with fraud.
Detective Inspector Chris Lawson said Wieland was arrested after a member of the public tipped off detectives.
“It’s always very concerning when people use the emotions of others to try and obtain money for themselves,” he told reporters.
“It’s disheartening. The real victims here are the (people) in the community who have heard the stories (and) have tried to assist as best they can … and given the money across in the honest belief that they are trying to help.”
Det Insp Lawson said police were investigating what happened to the $55,000 and it would be alleged Wieland did not suffer cancer.
She will reappear in the same court on December 13 for a committal hearing.
Investigators want to speak to anyone who may have donated to her on the GoFundMe site, which has removed her page.