The Shocking Truth Behind Wellness Blogger Belle Gibson’s Cancer Scam: Australia’s Ongoing Pursuit for Justice

In New Zealand, a new Netflix series called Apple Cider Vinegar has sparked fresh outrage over Belle Gibson’s story. A decade ago, Gibson claimed she had terminal brain cancer, which she said she cured through a healthy lifestyle. However, she later admitted that she never had cancer at all. This controversy has reignited discussions in Australia about her unresolved legal issues.

Authorities in Australia are still trying to collect unpaid fines from Gibson, who was previously charged with misleading the public. In 2015, it was revealed that she had raised money for charities but donated only a tiny fraction of what she collected. As a result, the federal court fined her 410,000 Australian dollars (about $261,000). Despite the fines and public backlash, Gibson has never faced criminal charges.

In 2013, her recipe app, The Whole Pantry, became popular, racking up 200,000 downloads in just one month. She promised to donate the app’s profits and money from her cookbook to charity, specifically to help a child with cancer. Unfortunately, only 2% of the total amount was actually donated. The courts found her in violation of consumer law, ordering her to pay back the funds and prohibiting her from making health claims in the future.

Gibson has not spoken publicly in years and did not participate in the new Netflix series. Authorities have yet to recover any of the fines, despite attempts to seize her assets. Local officials, including Jacinta Allan, the premier of Victoria, expressed disappointment over the unresolved situation, stating they are committed to pursuing the case.

The fallout from Gibson’s actions has led to significant changes in Australia’s health regulations, particularly regarding online health claims. In 2022, the rules were revamped to allow for hefty penalties for misleading health information. This means that anyone making health claims, like Gibson, faces serious consequences, which some experts believe was partly inspired by her case.

The Netflix series has received mixed reactions. While many praise its critique of the wellness culture, others, like Queensland resident Col Ainscough, criticize its portrayal of personal stories tied to real-life tragedies. Ainscough’s family has been affected by cancer, and he found the show’s approach insensitive. State officials have also pointed out that behind the dramatized story are real people who were deeply harmed by Gibson’s deception.

Despite the anger and disappointment surrounding Gibson and her actions, her story serves as a reminder to approach health information online with caution. As journalist Richard Guilliatt noted, this situation has opened people’s eyes to the potential dangers of blindly trusting health claims made by influencers on social media.

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