Eli Stewart, 19, is said to have lied about stomach and lung tumours to get a free £1,000 guitar as well as an all-expenses paid trip to Belfast.
The Clutha Trust – named after the pub where a police helicopter crashed through the roof and killed 10 people in 2013 – alleges Eli told them he had only six months to live.
The charity gave the music lover, who has been pictured with his head shaved in hospital, the guitar and allowed to him perform at the Clutha pub.
But Alan Crossan, the Glasgow charity’s founder, became suspicious and challenged the teenager over his cancer claims at the end of last year.
He said: “We do events through the Clutha Trust to help disadvantaged youngsters. This wee guy appeared at the Clutha about a year ago and what we do is give kids a chance to play on a Sunday afternoon.
“He said he was terminally ill and had only six months to live. It started as cancer, then it was epilepsy, then a heart transplant – that was what really raised the alarm for me.”
Bosses at Project Genie, which arranges concerts and shows, are still waiting for the promised donations from a gig night held last December by the teen.
They posted a statement on Facebook over the weekend which read: “This story and the ongoing police inquiry has come as a massive shock to Project Genie, the Clutha Trust and others.
“The whole affair has shown me a side to humanity which is truly cruel and has left myself and many other goodhearted people devastated and angry.”
Speaking outside the family home in Drumchapel, Glasgow, Stewart’s mother Carole, 55, said: “I’m sorry he is not here just now.
“If you contact the police they will give you all the information you need.”
A police spokesman said: “We can confirm we have received a complaint and police inquiries are ongoing.”
