Police say 34-year-old Leron Magilner duped coworkers at the tobacco shop where he worked in Havertown. He also posted about his alleged illness on Facebook.
Police say two benefits this summer raised more than $8,000 for Magilner, some of which paid for his rent and utilities.
Authorities say the scheme began unraveling last week after Magilner was hospitalized after a fall but refused any cancer-related tests. Investigators then searched his home and say they found fraudulent documentation of his illness.
Haverford Township police Sgt. Michael Glenn says Magilner admitted to the fraud on Thursday. He was arrested and charged with theft by deception and identity theft.
