Belle Gibson’s Deception: The Lingering Impact of a Wellness Scam
The Rise and Fall of Belle Gibson
A decade after Belle Gibson, a prominent wellness influencer, admitted to fabricating her terminal brain cancer diagnosis, her story continues to spark controversy. Her fraudulent claims, which suggested she had cured herself through a healthy lifestyle, have now inspired a Netflix series and reignited public outrage in Australia.
Authorities recently confirmed that they are still pursuing Gibson for unpaid fines, highlighting ongoing frustration over one of Australia’s most egregious online scams. The case has drawn significant attention to the dangers of misleading health claims on social media platforms.
The Netflix Retelling: “Apple Cider Vinegar”
Netflix’s new dramatic series, Apple Cider Vinegar, revisits Gibson’s story but omits key details about the aftermath of her exposed deception in 2015. Despite widespread backlash, Gibson never faced criminal charges. However, in 2017, Australia’s federal court imposed a fine of 410,000 Australian dollars ($261,000) for funds she falsely claimed were destined for charity. The consumer watchdog in Victoria remains committed to recovering the missing funds.
Legal Consequences and Unpaid Fines
Gibson’s app, The Whole Pantry, quickly gained popularity, amassing 200,000 downloads within a month of its launch in 2013. She pledged to donate the app’s earnings, along with profits from her cookbook, to charities and families in need, including those of cancer patients. However, investigations revealed that only 2% of the pledged amount was donated, leading to her conviction for violating consumer laws.
Despite legal orders to repay the remaining funds, Gibson claimed financial distress, stating she was unemployed and unable to cover the costs. Authorities have made multiple attempts to seize her assets, but the outcome remains undisclosed.
Belle Gibson Today: Silence Amidst Legal Pursuits
Efforts by the Associated Press to obtain a statement from Gibson have been unsuccessful, as she has remained silent for years. She was neither involved in nor compensated for the Netflix production. Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, expressed disappointment over the unresolved case but reassured the public that authorities remain steadfast in their efforts.
Richard Guilliatt, the journalist who first exposed Gibson’s deception in 2015, emphasized that public resentment lingers due to the lack of serious legal repercussions. He noted that while Gibson has endured intense public humiliation, the controversy surrounding her case remains an “open wound.”
Policy Changes in the Wake of the Scandal
Gibson’s fraudulent claims had significant ramifications beyond her personal legal battles. In 2022, Australia implemented stricter regulations on therapeutic health claims, including heavy fines for violations. Paid endorsements for such products are now prohibited, and only certified health professionals can promote them. Experts believe these changes were, at least in part, influenced by Gibson’s case.
Suzy Madar, a legal expert at King & Wood Mallesons, asserted that the updated laws would have applied to the false therapeutic claims Gibson made, preventing similar scams from flourishing in the future.
Public Reaction to Apple Cider Vinegar
The Netflix adaptation has garnered mixed reactions. While some praise its critique of online wellness culture, others—especially those directly impacted by Gibson’s deception—criticize its portrayal. Queensland resident Col Ainscough, whose wife and daughter both passed away from cancer, condemned the show for including a storyline that closely resembled his family’s tragedy, calling it “insensitive and profit-driven.”
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the real-world suffering caused by Gibson’s lies.
Despite the ethical concerns surrounding the series, the case remains one of Australia’s most notorious online scams. Journalist Guilliatt believes the scandal served as a “wake-up call,” urging the public to be more skeptical of unverified health claims shared on social media.
