US woman accused of cancer scam for cash

Authorities say a US woman scammed relatives and others out of cash, meals and even a wedding by falsely claiming she had bladder cancer. Forty-year-old Lori Stilley has been charged with theft by deception. Officials say in February 2011, the New Jersey woman told those close to her and posted on Facebook that she had been diagnosed. In April, she said her condition had worsened. Authorities say supporters raised more than $US10,000 ($A9700) after she said she didn't have medical insurance. Family and friends also organised and paid for her wedding and delivered meals. Supporters became suspicious in November 2011 when she posted that she was feeling better and believed a miracle was coming. Prosecutor Robert Bernardi calls the scam "extremely cruel". Her lawyer, Adam Malamut, tells the Burlington County Times that authorities have not presented him with any evidence that Stilley did anything wrong. Stilley is free on $US25,000 bail.