The District Court in Legnica has issued a judgment in the case of a man accused of organizing online fundraisers under the pretext of a serious illness and of fraud related to the purchase of real estate. The combined sentence amounted to 2 years and 4 months in prison.
The case concerns events from 2024. According to the investigation’s findings, the accused launched two online fundraisers on a crowdfunding platform, stating that he had colorectal cancer and needed money for treatment. In the description, he indicated that some treatment costs were not reimbursed, which is why he appealed for financial assistance.
The first fundraiser was launched on March 7, 2024, under the name “Treatment.” The second—on May 3, 2024, under the name “Operation.” In both cases, the goal was to raise funds for alleged treatment. A total of 79 people responded to the appeals, donating from a dozen or so to several dozen złotys. The total value of the donations exceeded PLN 6,000.
During the proceedings, medical records were secured and a medical expert was appointed. The opinion showed that the conditions diagnosed in the accused were not cancerous, and the hospitalization records did not confirm that he suffered from colorectal cancer.
When questioned as a suspect, the man did not admit to the charges. However, he confirmed that he had organized the fundraisers and claimed that he had acted in the belief that he was ill, as—as he explained—doctors had allegedly informed him.
This was not the only thread in the case. The indictment also covered an incident from late 2023 concerning the purchase of a share in real estate worth PLN 300,000. According to the investigators’ findings, the accused allegedly misled the sellers about his ability to pay the price, even though he did not have the funds necessary to complete the transaction.
During the proceedings, he explained that he had counted on receiving compensation following an accident and expected to obtain the money from that source.
The court hearing the case found the accused guilty of the acts with which he was charged. For the fraud related to the acquisition of the real estate, he was sentenced to 1 year and 6 months in prison, while the offenses related to the fundraisers resulted in a sentence of 1 year in prison. Ultimately, a combined sentence of 2 years and 4 months was imposed.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of the equivalent of the financial benefit obtained and awarded court costs and a fee. During the proceedings, the accused was placed under Police supervision, and property was secured by placing a compulsory mortgage on the real estate.
We wrote more about the case in the article: He Pretended to Have Cancer and Collected Money. Prosecutor’s Office: 79 People Defrauded.