A woman in Pennsylvania is facing criminal charges after allegedly using more than $37,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign for personal expenses, including a cruise.
According to police in Westmoreland County, Vanessa Lewis started the fundraiser to help her cousin, who was unable to care for himself following a serious motorcycle crash. The victim’s father contacted law enforcement in April after discovering that funds from a bank account set up in his son’s name were missing.
At the time, the account held more than $40,000. By March 24, 2025, it had been reduced to just over $3,000.
Bank records revealed a $6,200 charge related to a Carnival cruise event in Miami and a wire transfer of more than $21,000 to another account.
Investigators say no funds were used for the injured man’s care.
Family members became suspicious after seeing photos of Lewis on a cruise, believing she did not have the financial means to afford it without the donated funds.
They later told police that no money had been provided to assist with their son’s recovery or for planned home modifications.
Lewis has been charged with theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Cruise Fraud in Recent Years
While most cruise passengers and operators follow the rules, cases of fraud tied to cruise travel are not new. In 2024, more than 70 people claimed they lost thousands of dollars after booking a 3-year “Life at Sea” cruise that was canceled just before departure.
Earlier this year, a man in the UK was sentenced for running a Ponzi scheme involving fake cruise vouchers.
And in Florida, victims reported being scammed by fake travel agents offering cruises that were never booked.
