Doug Ruch died in Auckland last December after local journalist David Farrier exposed him as a possible scam artist. Photo / Doug Ruch
Doug Ruch died in Auckland last December after local journalist David Farrier exposed him as a possible scam artist. Photo / Doug Ruch
A US man who claimed to have cancer died in New Zealand the day after he was described as a fundraising conman by a respected Kiwi journalist.
Douglas Lee “Doug” Ruch died of unknown causes in Auckland on December 18, a day after David Farrier had published a story aboutthe legitimacy of his “charitable” fundraising, according to the Guardian.
Ruch had previously told various global publications he had been given 12 to 18 months to live following a prostate cancer diagnosis, inspiring him to dedicate the remainder of his life to doing good.
The December 17 Webworm piece detailed accusations the 56-year-old was a scam artist who had a long history of fundraising for various “causes” on the platform.
Farrier pointed out there was speculation around Ruch’s diagnosis among some who knew him personally but had never seen “any evidence of [his] cancer diagnosis”.
When the Guardian contacted the alleged conman about the allegations he refused to share his medical records, telling the publication, “I don’t owe any of these haters anything and refuse to bow to the bullshit.”
Ruch had fundraised to travel to Australia and New Zealand before his death, catching the attention of Farrier, who has extensively covered several other supposed conmen over the years.
One person told Farrier the native Texan would not leave them alone until they loaned him money, threatening to drive to their home and remain there.
“The total that I gave is so humiliating, I hate myself for believing him and thinking that a human being needed help. I hate myself for taking away from myself as well as my kids, to provide for him, thinking he really was sick.”
The local journalist addressed Ruch’s death in a second Webworm piece, stating that he is “still processing it”.
“I thought this was important, given he was coming to New Zealand next. I thought it was important that people knew his history, given he was asking for money. I still think that,” he wrote.
“That doesn’t change the fact that this is objectively horrible news. It’s horrible when anyone dies. Doug obviously had a troubled history. While estranged, he had a family.”
Doug Ruch travelled to various states across the US to volunteer his time, fundraising for the travel costs through GoFundMe. Photo / Open Hand
The “Dying to Serve” tour involved Ruch attempting to do an act of volunteering in all 50 US states, a mission he raised US$230,000 ($385,750) for through crowdfunding app GoFundMe.
“Unfortunately, due to the broken United States healthcare system, Doug has spent his life savings just trying to survive these last few years,” the website reads.
“He realises it’s a big ask as we all have our own burdens to bear but Doug truly believes that he can and will do a lot of good with the time he has left.”
Ruch’s GoFundMe has now issued refunds to donors who have raised complaints about Ruch, and the “Dying to Serve” fundraiser has since been deleted.
