Woman accused of faking cancer to steal $400,000

AUBURN -- A 51-year old Auburn woman was arrested Monday after a federal grand jury indicted her on charges she faked cancer to scam an elderly victim out of $400,000.

U.S. Attorney Jenny Durkan says between May 2009 and September 2012, Julie Ann Dahlquist convinced an elderly Auburn resident to support her financially by claiming the money was for cancer treatment.

According to the indictment, Dahlquist told the elderly victim that she had been diagnosed with cancer and had no medical insurance or any money for treatment.  The victim wrote her checks to pay for the non-existent treatment.  The victim wrote checks for as much as $9,000 about three times a month.

In all, the victim wrote 190 checks to Dahlquist for more than $400,000.

The indictment alleges that Dahlquist used the money for gambling and other expenses.  In addition to wire fraud, she was indicted for Social Security fraud, for collecting $8,000 in Social Security during that time.

Wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.  Social Security Fraud is punishable by up to five years in prison.