A Nevada woman has pleaded guilty after deceiving a friend and the friend’s family by falsely claiming she had cancer, authorities said.
Haleigh Knight of Henderson admitted to using GoFundMe as part of a wider scheme that cheated victims out of more than US$20,000 (about RM95,000), according to multiple US media reports including KSNV, KLAS and the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Officials said Knight’s case involved repeated false representations that encouraged donations over an extended period, ultimately leading to criminal charges after suspicions were raised.
GoFundMe confirmed it has permanently banned her from using its platform, stressing that it has “zero tolerance for bad actors” who exploit public generosity, and added that it cooperates with law enforcement in fraud investigations.
Separately, court documents showed Knight was charged with theft involving amounts between US$5,000 and US$25,000 (about RM23,000 to RM119,000), with investigators detailing how the scam unfolded over nearly two years.
Reports also alleged that the victim, a former high school classmate, and her family were misled into believing Knight worked as a travel adviser linked to luxury hotel arrangements, while payments for supposed trips were repeatedly requested but never materialised.
Authorities further revealed that Knight allegedly created fake identities in group chats to maintain the deception, including posing as a supposed coordinator to reinforce the illusion of legitimate travel planning.
Knight is expected to be sentenced on June 24 and could face between one to five years in prison, along with restitution payments amounting to nearly US$19,800 (about RM94,000), with the possibility of her felony being reduced to a misdemeanor under a plea agreement.
