Belle Gibson was paid A$75k to appear on 60 Minutes Australia after her deception was uncovered. Screenshot / 60 Minutes Australia
Belle Gibson was paid A$75k to appear on 60 Minutes Australia after her deception was uncovered. Screenshot / 60 Minutes Australia
The home of notorious "wellness" fraudster Belle Gibson has been raided by Australian authorities over half a million dollars worth of unpaid fines.
Victoria's Sheriff's office executed a "seizure and sale" warrant on Gibson's property in Melbourne's inner north today.
The Whole Pantry founder was hit with a A$410,000 finein 2017 after being found guilty of five breaches of consumer law.
Gibson, 29, sold thousands of copies of her cookbook and wellness app off the back of faking brain cancer and claiming she was cured by natural remedies and healthy living.
"A warrant of seizure and sale on Ms Gibson was executed today by Sheriff's officers at an address in Northcote."
Gibson now owes more than A$500,000 in fines, penalties and interest. Photo / NewsCorp Australia
The Federal Court of Australia found in 2017 the mother-of-one engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct after claiming she had been diagnosed with brain cancer in 2009, only had four months to live and had rejected conventional treatments and chosen to heal herself naturally.
The court also found she had falsely claimed that proceeds from sales of her book and app The Whole Pantry, company earnings and a Mother's Day event would be donated to charities or good causes.
Gibson's Northcote home had previously been raided by sheriffs in January 2020 to try to recoup some of her unpaid debt.
She sold more than 300,000 copies of her book before the deceit of her fake cancer story emerged in 2015.
In that time, the court was told she made more than A$500,000, including A$440,500 from sales of the app and book, and A$75,000 from an interview with 60 Minutes.
'Inspirational young mother'
In her book, Gibson described herself as an "inspirational young mother … diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at the age of 20".
"She found herself without support and out of sync with conventional medicine," she wrote.
"So began a journey of self-education that resulted in her getting back to basics, as she set out to heal herself through nutrition and lifestyle changes."
In November 2018, Justice Debra Mortimer issued a warning to Gibson that if she failed to pay she would be "liable to imprisonment, sequestration of property or other punishment".
Justice Mortimer had previously told Gibson in September 2017 she had "relentless obsession with herself and what best serves her interests".
The court was told Gibson refused to take part in any proceedings against her, although she did correspond with the court in writing.
"Ms Gibson's choice not to take any part in these proceedings does have some consequences," Justice Mortimer said.
"In fixing the appropriate penalty for each contravention … there can be no allowance made for contrition, remorse, apology or acceptance of responsibility by Ms Gibson.
"Once again, it appears she has put her own interests before those of anyone else."
In 2019, Gibson appeared in the Federal Court and claimed she was penniless and unable to pay the fine.
