UK woman tricked her partner into handing over ₹28 lakh (&pound;25,000) by pretending to be riddled with cancer&mdash;only to spend the money on breast augmentation and weight-loss treatments abroad.
Laura McPherson&rsquo;s lies were so elaborate that she even convinced her own 12-year-old daughter (now 16) that she was terminally ill, Derby Crown Court was told.
The fraudster, who met Jon Leonard&mdash;a man dedicated to raising funds for charity&mdash;claimed she was battling cervical, ovarian, colon, bowel, and breast cancer. She staged chemotherapy photos, spoke of hysterectomies and mastectomies, and made sure everyone around her believed she was on the brink of death.
But instead of receiving any actual treatment, McPherson was funneling Leonard&rsquo;s money into plastic surgery clinics.
The Scam Falls Apart
For years, McPherson milked the fake illness for all it was worth. But her elaborate ruse came crashing down in December 2021 when Leonard dropped her off at Royal Derby Hospital for a crucial cancer procedure. Hours later, he realized she had never checked in&mdash;instead, she had jumped into a taxi to Coventry.
Suspicious, Leonard contacted the private clinic where she claimed to have had a mastectomy. The response? No record of a mastectomy, but yes, she had undergone a breast augmentation.
Speaking in court, Leonard expressed his devastation: &ldquo;The emotional toll this has taken on me is beyond words. She made me believe she was dying. I don&rsquo;t think I&rsquo;ll ever trust anyone the same way again.&rdquo;
&lsquo;Wicked and devious liar&rsquo; 
Despite her breathtaking deception, McPherson walked free. Judge Jonathan Straw, who called her a &ldquo;wicked and devious liar,&rdquo; handed her a community order instead of jail time.
&ldquo;You told those closest to you that you had terminal cancer,&rdquo; the judge said. &ldquo;It is difficult to imagine how someone could be so calculating and cruel.&rdquo;
McPherson now has to wear an electronic tag and follow a strict 7 pm to 6 am curfew from Wednesday to Sunday. She must also complete 30 days with a probation officer. If she fails to comply, she risks actual prison time&mdash;something that, unlike her fake cancer, would be very real.

McPherson also made up photos to support her claims

Fraudster claimed to have five kinds of cancer, also convinces minor daughter she’s dying

Woman Scams Partner of ₹28L for Cosmetic Surgery

Fraudster claimed to have five kinds of cancer, also convinces minor daughter she’s dying

March 14, 2025 | 11:54 IST