HENDERSON, NV – A local social media content creator has been sentenced to jail after defrauding close friends out of nearly $20,000 by falsely claiming she had pancreatic cancer to cover up a luxury travel scam.
The Sentence
Haleigh Morgan Knight of Henderson was sentenced to 30 days in the Clark County Detention Center followed by two years of probation. The ruling comes after Knight pleaded guilty to charges surrounding the $19,787.12 fraud operation. She has been ordered to pay full restitution to her victims and has one week to turn herself in.
How the Scam Worked
Knight, acting as a social media travel influencer, convinced former classmates and friends to invest in a joint business venture. Claiming she had exclusive ties to luxury hotels, she collected thousands of dollars from victims for what she described as refundable trip deposits.
According to a Henderson Police Department affidavit, whenever a travel date approached, Knight would invent excuses for why the trip was canceled. To simulate legitimacy, she:
- Created fake business contracts.
- Impersonated corporate hospitality representatives.
- Used multiple phone numbers to fake authentic communication.
Faking Cancer to Evade Suspicions
When victims began questioning the missing funds and canceled plans, Knight claimed she was battling pancreatic cancer.
Relying on their friendship, the victims stopped pressing for their money. Instead, they brought meals to her house, babysat her children, and provided donations to support her alleged medical battle. One victim even stepped down from a full-time job to prepare for the travel venture.
Courtroom Confrontation
During the sentencing, Judge Jessica Peterson rebuked Knight, stating, “You changed people’s lives for your own selfishness and your own greed.”
Knight apologized to the courtroom, stating she is receiving help to understand her choices and requested the opportunity to pay restitution and support her family moving forward.
