GoFundMeA mum has been accused of pretending she had ovarian cancer in order to trick people into giving her money for treatment.
40-year-old Nicole Elkabbass, from Edge End Road in Broadstairs, Kent, appeared at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (June 11), where she denied the allegations.
The mother reportedly set up a GoFundMe account which she used to ask for donations between February and August last year. She claimed to need the money for treatment for her ovarian cancer.
On the site she shared a picture of herself lying in bed, propped up with pillows and covered in blankets, though one arm was clearly on display. On her wrist she appeared to wear a white band similar to those worn by hospital patients.
GoFundMeAccording to the MailOnline, police arrested the 40-year-old on April 5 following an investigation by detectives asking whether she really had the illness after she set up the GoFundMe page.
She had her claims of having the disease scrutinised by lawyers in court.
A spokesperson said:
A Thanet woman has been charged with fraudulently accepting £45,350 in donations for an illness she allegedly did not have.
Nicole Elkabbas is charged with six counts of fraud following an investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.
She is alleged to have falsely claimed to have required treatment for cancer in order to receive donations from members of the public, between February and August 2018.
GoFundMeNicole was charged with fraudulently accepting £45,350 in donations from generous members of the public and in court yesterday she faced six counts of fraud. Kent Online report she pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Judge Mark Weekes gave her unconditional bail, with her trial scheduled at Canterbury Crown Court on January 27, 2020.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.