Christchurch cancer fraud-accused Nicola Flint arrested in Wales after police search family home

A Christchurch woman, whose friends and family say faked terminal cancer for more than seven years and is accused of using forged medical letters as part of a $180,000-plus fraud, has been arrested in Wales.

And it can be revealed that Nicola Flint is now using a different name and has reportedly been working for a company offering “debt advisory” and other financial services.

In 2023 Nicola Anne Flint was charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the Christchurch Football Club where she had been employed as a business development manager.

Nicola Flint pictured in the UK soon after she fled New Zealand. It is understood she was attending a party and was captured on video dancing. Photo / NewsHub

Flint had been in charge of the club finances and trust accounts and it is alleged that most of the funds she is accused of pilfering were earmarked for junior rugby teams.

The 49-year-old is also charged with forging medical documents – letters from cancer specialists and surgeons.

Police say she used those letters to deceive ANZ – where she had worked for many years – into paying out more than $84,000 by way of medical retirement.

For many years she had told friends and family that she had terminal cancer - but police have since confirmed there is no evidence she was ever diagnosed with the disease.

By the time Flint was charged, she and her husband, Andrew, had left New Zealand and were living in the United Kingdom.

The Herald understands Flint has now been arrested in Wales after police executed a search warrant at the house where Flint and her family had been living in Barry.

She was taken into custody soon after.

A source said police have been investigating Flint in relation to allegations that she obtained money from people fraudulently.

Nicola Flint. Photo / Supplied

The Herald has contacted police in Wales for information about the arrest and any charges Flint is facing.

Sources have reported that Flint has been using the name Annie Curry overseas. Curry was her maiden name.

Annie Curry is listed as the director of a company called Anderson Frank, which claims to offer debt advisory and brokerage, commercial advisory and consultancy support.

Hours after the Herald contacted Annie Curry by email, inquiring about her connection to the Flint case, the Anderson Frank website was taken down.

Before it was deactivated, it boasted “three decades of expertise in credit, finance, and investment”.

“Our team comprises seasoned professionals well-versed in leadership roles, senior advisory positions, and consultancy,” said the website.

The website does not name any of the team, and testimonials from clients only refer to “Annie”.

Nicola Flint convinced many people she had terminal cancer. She has now been charged with forging medical documents and police say there is no evidence she was ever diagnosed with the disease. Photo / Supplied

“Central to our approach is the importance of relationships,” the website says.

“We value the trust our clients place in us, maintaining high retention and repeat engagement rates.

“Our diverse clientele includes innovative leaders in sectors like agriculture, alternative investments, commodities, manufacturing, logistics, IT, healthcare, education, tourism, professional services, and property development.”

Records show the company has been operating since 2025.

It claimed staff had “connections to top-tier finance providers” and that they “offer honest insights”.

“Unlock your business potential with guidance from the Anderson Frank team… With extensive global experience across diverse business interests, we are dedicated to empowering innovative clients as they shape the future,” the website offers.

“Trust us to navigate challenges and unveil strategic opportunities tailored to your unique needs.”

Flint has not responded to repeated requests from the Herald for comment about the alleged offending, cancer fraud or her involvement with Anderson Frank.

Nicola Flint has been arrested in Wales. Photo / Supplied

However, she did email after the publication of a two-part special about her case by Herald podcast A Moment In Crime, saying allegations against her in New Zealand were “disputed and unproven”.

At the same time, a number of people who spoke about the case and their personal experience with Flint were sent “formal cease and desist” notices, claiming “harassment, defamation” and “unlawful disclosure of private information”.

Some correspondence was signed by Flint and others purportedly by her husband.

The information the Herald published about the allegations against Flint came directly from Christchurch District Court documents. Publication was permitted by a judge following an application process.

Anna Leask is a senior journalist who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz