Woman Jailed Over Fake Terminal Cancer Scam to Fund Dream Wedding
A woman from Cheshire has been locked up for conning friends and strangers out of thousands with a fake terminal cancer story. Toni Standen, 29, fooled pals into raising cash for a dream wedding – but it was all a sham.
Heartbreaking Lie Fueled by Fake Cancer Updates
In June 2015, Standen told two friends she had terminal vaginal cancer. She even shaved her head to look like she was undergoing treatment and posted pictures online to prove it. Her detailed updates convinced friends she was really dying.
As if that wasn’t enough, Standen claimed her father – who was genuinely battling terminal cancer – wanted to see her married before he passed. Sympathy poured in, and friends Ashlea Rowson and Jennifer Douglas set up a GoFundMe page to raise money.
Thousands Raised, Wedding Held – But Suspicion Grew
- Over £8,344 raised through donations
- Gifts poured in, including flowers and even cars
- Wedding organised mostly by friends and family on July 27, 2019
When Standen’s father sadly died, suspicion over her story started to mount. It wasn’t long before the truth came out in a phone call, recorded by her friends. She admitted she never had cancer.
Guilty Plea Leads to Jail and Repayment Order
Standen pleaded guilty to fraud in November 2020 at Chester Magistrates’ Court. District Judge Nicholas Sanders handed her a five-month jail sentence and ordered her to repay £2,000 donated by a local businessman.
“Toni Standen made up a terminal illness to gain sympathy and watched as friends raised money to support her through what they thought were her final years,” said Neil Colville, Senior District Prosecutor.
“She used that money to fund a wedding and a holiday. This was a sophisticated, years-long fraud that left friends and donors devastated and betrayed.”
Judge Sanders added: “You embellished your lies, claiming you had weeks to live and even gave newspaper interviews to milk public sympathy. Using generous donations to fund a wedding and holiday is appalling.”
Standen will spend Christmas behind bars, paying the price for her cruel deception.
