Anatomy of a Cancer Scam

Weeks before her arrest, Coco Berthmann used an Instagram livestream to discuss a cancer diagnosis prosecutors would later allege was fabricated

If the video is difficult to watch, you’re not alone.

By the time this livestream was recorded, Coco Berthmann had already spent weeks discussing a cancer diagnosis on social media. A GoFundMe campaign had been established in her name, supporters were sharing her story, and donations were being collected to help cover what followers believed were mounting medical expenses.

Some of those supporters had followed Berthmann for years. Others had only recently learned of a 28-year-old woman who claimed to have survived years of human trafficking, only to be diagnosed with a serious form of lymphoma.

On February 5, 2022, Berthmann hosted an Instagram livestream to provide what she described as an update on her condition. During the broadcast, she discussed her diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and future plans in considerable detail.

The video is unsettling to watch today because prosecutors would later allege that the cancer diagnosis had been fabricated.

Rather than offering a brief statement, Berthmann presents an emotional and highly detailed account of her alleged illness. Viewed in hindsight, the livestream provides a rare look at how a false narrative can be constructed, reinforced, and presented to an audience that has little reason to doubt what they are hearing.

After obtaining a copy of the recording, Lynn Packer and I discussed its significance. What stands out is not simply the claim itself, but the confidence with which it was presented and the trust that had already been established with supporters.

The result is a sobering reminder of how easily sympathy, credibility, and good intentions can be exploited.

Additional materials, including deleted social media posts and fundraising appeals, will be added as this investigation continues.

For now, watch the video and draw your own conclusions.