Cancer fraud Belle Gibson ‘can’t pay fine’ after travel spree

Belle Gibson spent more than $90,000 in two years but claims she cannot pay her fine.

Belle Gibson, left, arrives at the Federal Court in Melbourne as Consumer Affairs tries to enforce a $410,000 fine. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Cancer fraudster Belle Gibson spent more than $90,000 in two years and went to Bali and Africa, but still claims she cannot pay her fine for conning Australians.

The disgraced wellness blogger was fined $410,000 for breaching consumer laws after claiming she cured her non-existent brain cancer­ through diet and altern­ative therapies.

A financial analysis showed the 27-year-old spent about $91,000 between 2017 and this year, which she denied.

“I don’t believe your figure is correct,” she told the Federal Court in Melbourne yesterday.

But Carl Moller, for Consumer Affairs, said its analysis showed $13,000 was splurged on clothes, cosmetics and accessories.

The con artist had also taken trips, including to Bali in 2017, because she wanted to “take leave of her situation here in Melbourne”.

During her Bali trip, $1600 was paid into her account to help fund her ongoing travel, but she wasn’t sure who transferred her the cash.

“Is it seriously your evidence that $1600 was deposited into your account, in three deposits in the space of about a week, and you don’t know who deposited it?” Mr Moller asked.

“I’d have to speculate and I’m not willing to do that,” Gibson replied­. She had previously said she went to East Africa on a holiday, which was a gift from a mysterious roommate named “Clive”.

Gibson explained thousands of dollars coming into her account was not income, but repayments for running errands for friends who didn’t have time to do their shopping, or get their car serviced.

She earlier broke down in tears when quizzed about her relationship with “Claire”, who she was caring for under an arrangement with the woman’s daughter.

“I’m sorry … it’s of a personal nature. It’s not something I want to be discussing,” she replied.

Despite lavish spending habits, the fraudster said she was unable to pay the penalty. “I’m not in a position to pay a $410,000 fine at this stage,” she said.

Consumer Affairs now has six months to push for her to be declared­ bankrupt.

AAP