A woman claimed a young boy was terminally ill so she could receive donations as part of a bogus online fundraiser.
Opal Taggart made out that a 15-year-old teenage boy had two inoperable brain tumours and was receiving palliative care.
In reality, however, Taggart had "exaggerated" the boy's health, a court heard.
Instead, she scammed well-wishers out of £5,837 from her home in Rutherglen, Scotland, with the money later used to fund a trip to a miniature figurine exhibition in England.
"I appreciate you were in a difficult financial position," Sheriff Amel Elfallah told her.
"The fact of the matter is, you exaggerated his health problems to deceive other people to give you money and it is completely wrong as well as unacceptable."
Taggart pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court today and was tagged for 27 weeks, keeping her indoors between 7pm and 7am.
The boy, who is now 17, has a "large number" of health issues and requires additional support, the court heard.
Prosecutor Robbie McDougall said: "There were growing concerns in relation to matters perhaps being exaggerated in terms of the child's medical condition."
His school was under the impression the boy was "terminal" and receiving "palliative care", Glasgow Live reports.
Mr McDougall said: "It was flagged that a GoFundMe page was established by Taggart who made reference to the child having two inoperable brain tumours."
The hearing was told the initial target was £1,500 to "take a trip with the boy to Warhammer World".
Mr McDougall added: "There was reference to creating memories for the boy and language relating to his tumours being inoperable, under palliative care and that the child was terminal."
Social work contacted police who investigated medical evidence, and it was found that Taggart's statements in 2020 were "misleading" and the boy was not suffering from a "terminal illness".
"It was established that the Go Fund Me was falsely representing the condition of the boy," added Mr McDougall.
Police were unable to trace Taggart, and it was confirmed the total money raised was £5,837.
Ross Yuill, defending, told the court that there was an "exaggerating of his health difficulties".
The lawyer added: "If you look at the word's meaning of palliative it doesn't mean what we expect it to mean.
"I accept the use of that word to anyone looking at the language would come to the conclusion that it's end of life.
"It is about relieving him without dealing with the cause of the condition.
"The boy is now 17 and his health issues remain. She does apologise for her involvement."
A GoFundMe spokesperson said: "We take allegations of misuse very seriously. Misuse counts for less than one tenth of one per cent of all activity on GoFundMe and in the very rare case where we determine there is misuse, we refund donations.
"Donors can apply for a refund here."
