Mum 'Heartbroken' as Scammer Sets Up Fake Fundraiser for Seriously Ill Baby
A young mother has been left utterly devastated after discovering that a heartless scammer created a fraudulent duplicate of her genuine fundraising campaign for her seriously ill infant daughter. Katelyn Clarke, aged 23, launched a legitimate GoFundMe appeal to support her 11-month-old baby, Macey-Mai, who is battling a rare and dangerous cancerous condition.
Katelyn was stunned to find that an unscrupulous individual had set up an identical fundraising page in her daughter's name, deceiving well-meaning donors out of substantial sums of money. The fake campaign has already siphoned off approximately £12,600 from compassionate contributors who believed they were helping the family cover extensive medical costs.
The Devastating Medical Diagnosis
Macey-Mai was born with a rare condition known as giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN), which is a benign, tumour-like malformation resulting from faulty pigment cell development. This condition affects roughly one per cent of newborns, with only about one in every 20,000 to 500,000 live births reported to have GCMN.
The birthmark covers her entire back, as well as the sides of her stomach, scalp, legs, and arms, presenting significant health challenges from a very young age. In August 2025, Macey-Mai underwent surgery at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London to remove seven lesions from her largest birthmark.
These tissue samples were sent for genetic testing and biopsy to determine if they were malignant. After an agonising wait of several months, the family received the heartbreaking news that one of the lumps was indeed cancerous. Tests confirmed a malignant change within Macey-Mai's largest birthmark, posing a potentially serious threat to her health.
The Cruel Fundraising Fraud
The authentic GoFundMe campaign was established to raise funds to help cover the considerable costs associated with attending dozens of medical appointments at Great Ormond Street Hospital. However, the fraudulent duplicate falsely claimed that the family had chosen to seek private treatment after the NHS allegedly refused to remove Macey-Mai's GCMN.
Katelyn, who resides in Plymouth, Devon, expressed her profound distress over the scam. She stated, "I felt heartbroken that someone could do this to our family and to Macey-Mai. These are funds that would've gone a massively long way in helping Macey-Mai, donations she'll never get back."
She emphasised the severity of the situation, noting, "They are making thousands off a seriously ill child. Not only that but they're taking donations from innocent people who think they're helping Macey-Mai when they're basically being stolen from."
Ongoing Medical Challenges and Family Struggles
Over the past eleven months, the family has attended numerous appointments in London, placing a significant strain on their daily lives. Katelyn, who has two other children, explained that constant travel makes it difficult to spend quality family time together. They are currently awaiting biopsy results from Macey-Mai's latest operation to determine if another lesion on her birthmark is cancerous.
Reflecting on the devastating diagnosis, Katelyn added, "I have never cried like that before, my heart's been broken since we received the news that one of the lumps was malignant. It has been very hard to comprehend."
She further elaborated on the emotional toll, saying, "I knew that with this condition you would probably face malignancy at some point but they said that's when you are an adult. They never say that you can be born with it so it's devastating to know that it's already the case."
Daily Monitoring and Additional Expenses
Katelyn must vigilantly monitor her daughter's birthmark for any changes over the coming months, as alterations could indicate the presence of melanoma. She detailed the rigorous routine, stating, "Every single day I have got to take photos, to sit there and look at every single inch of her. Any changes, even the smallest changes can warrant the worst."
Additionally, Macey-Mai's irritable skin necessitates special sleep suits to ensure comfort, with each suit costing around £26. The family uses approximately ten of these suits per week, adding to their financial burden.
Since Macey-Mai's birth, her family has managed to raise £20,000 through legitimate means, which has been crucial in covering travel expenses and other necessities for continuous healthcare appointments in London. Katelyn acknowledged that these donations have provided essential support for her daughter's journey living with CMN.
Katelyn is currently in the process of reporting the fraudulent fundraiser as a serious crime, hoping to prevent further exploitation and recover the stolen funds for her daughter's urgent medical needs.
