A 36-year-old man was caught faking his own cancer story to collect money, after he posted a picture of himself all bald claiming that he had lost all his hair but he forgot to shave off his beard .
Jonathan Fox is a 36-year-old resident of Speedway, and the father of four kids. Fox's story was that he was dying of cancer and needed money for his treatment. He told people that 2013 would be his last Christmas, according to The Indianapolis Star. He managed to raise at least $3,400 for his cause before people realized his cancer story was fake.
It all started four years ago when a small mass of tumor was removed from Fox's stomach in February 2010. Following that, he underwent two precautionary chemotherapy treatments in case surgeons failed to remove all of the possibly precancerous growth. Taking advantage of the situation, Fox went on to tell everyone that he had terminal cancer.
To raise money for his treatment, he started his own fundraiser. The tragic story caught the attention of many, including Democratic state Rep. Karlee Macer. According to court documents submitted by the police, Macer made extra efforts to help Fox out in every way she could. This included four checks to Fox, totaling $1,800. In 2013, Fox announced that it was going to be his last Christmas and so he spent $250 of Macer's money on gifts for his children. Reportedly, Macer also helped him shop for the gifts.
Wanting to help further, she introduced Fox to an American Cancer Society staff member so the organization could help pay for chemotherapy. However, she became suspicious when he failed to submit official documents to secure the financial help.
Macer became convinced that something was not right when Fox posted a picture of himself online. He had shaved off his head, saying his hair was falling due to chemotherapy. What gave him away was the thick facial hair he had in the same picture.
"When you're having chemo, you lose your hair all over," Macer said, according to USA Today. "Lying about having cancer stinks altogether. But to also have four children believing you are sick and dying of terminal cancer is even more disappointing."
Fox is charged with three counts of theft. He turned himself in Wednesday after a Marion Superior Court judge signed a warrant for his arrest, said Lt. Trent Theobald of the Speedway Police Department, according to The Star Press.
