US woman who made fake cancer claims on social media must pay restitution but stays out of prison

This photo provided by the Scott County Jail shows Madison Russo. Russo, an Iowa woman who falsely claimed to have cancer and documented her 'battle' on social media will stay out of prison after a judge gave her probation and a suspended sentence. — Scott County Jail via AP

DAVENPORT: An Iowa woman who falsely claimed to have cancer and documented her "battle” on social media will stay out of prison after a judge gave her probation and a suspended sentence.

Madison Russo, 20, never had pancreatic cancer, leukaemia nor the football-sized tumour wrapped around her spine she that claimed in postings on TikTok, GoFundMe, Facebook and LinkedIn. But over 400 people sent her donations. As part of the 10-year suspended sentence handed down Friday (Oct 20), she was ordered to pay US$39,000 (RM185,932) in restitution and a US$1,370 (RM6,531) fine. If she stays out of trouble for three years of probation, she'll stay free.