TikTok star raises thousands in donations after faking cancer

Madison Russo, a college student from Iowa, has been exposed for faking her cancer journey on TikTok. She raised $37,000 in donations by deceiving her supporters with fabricated tales of pancreatic cancer, leukemia, and a tumor around her spine. Russo extended her false story to GoFundMe, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and even shared videos portraying herself enduring pain and discomfort during her “treatment.” She managed to avoid jail but was ordered to pay restitution and a fine.