Belle Gibson’s Northcote home raided over unpaid fines

Cancer conwoman Belle Gibson was given multiple chances to pay $500,000 worth of fines, but authorities have had enough.

Cancer fraudster Belle Gibson has had her house raided as authorities try to recoup more than $500,000 of unpaid fines for her deceptive conduct.

Victoria’s Sheriff’s Office has executed a “search and sale” warrant on The Whole Pantry founder’s Northcote home on Friday.

The Melbourne mother who faked brain cancer and duped thousands into believing she had cured it with natural remedies and healthy living has continued to snub paying anything towards a $410,000 fine issued to her in the Federal Court in September 2017 for misleading and deceptive conduct.

She now owes more than $500,000 in fines, penalties and interest.

A Consumer Affairs Victoria spokeswoman confirmed the raid.

“Ms Gibson owes the Victorian public a substantial debt and Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue to pursue repayment,” she said.

“A warrant of seizure and sale on Ms Gibson was executed today by Sheriff’s Officers at an address in Northcote.”

Gibson was found guilty of five breaches of the consumer law over her health and wellness empire’s dealings.

It is not known what, if any, of Gibson’s possessions were seized in the early morning raid.

One of Gibson’s neighbours, who did not wish to be named, said he saw the disgraced wellness blogger crying as authorities raided her property this morning.

“[Sheriff’s officers] went in there and then she came out crying and drove off,” he said.

The warrant was a last resort for the consumer watchdog who has repeatedly given the bogus blogger chances to pay the fine, or even go on a payment plan.

After she ignored their requests, Consumer Affairs hauled her back before the Federal Court in 2019 to explain why she had made no effort to comply with the court’s orders.

In an explosive two days in the witness box, Gibson claimed she was a struggling single mother on government benefits who was too broke and considering declaring bankruptcy.

But the court heard her bank account statements showed otherwise with mystery deposits and lavish expenditure, including a $5000 holiday to Africa in early 2019 with her son.

It is the second raid on Gibson’s property, with the sheriff’s office executing another warrant to seize items to sell to settle the debt in January 2020.