NEW DELHI: Belle Gibson, once hailed as a ‘fun fearless female‘ by Cosmopolitan, was exposed in a new ITV documentary titled “Instagram’s Worst Con Artist.” Gibson, who skyrocketed to fame as a wellness influencer, now faces the spotlight on her fraudulent claims of battling terminal cancer and charitable donations.
Originally from Launceston, Tasmania, Gibson gained prominence in May 2013 as a food and health blogger, amassing a substantial following on Instagram.She chronicled her supposed journey with terminal brain cancer, advocating for a plant-based diet and alternative therapies. However, doubts arose regarding the authenticity of her claims, leading to a downward spiral.
In April 2015, Gibson confessed to Women’s Weekly that her cancer story was fabricated, sparking investigations by authorities. It was revealed that she had never been diagnosed with cancer nor donated funds to charity, despite profiting from her bestselling app and cookbook. Legal repercussions ensued, with Gibson fined £240,000 in 2017 for violating Australian consumer law, according to a report from Metro.
Following the scandal, Gibson’s whereabouts remained relatively obscure until recent developments shed light on her activities. Despite her attempts to integrate into Melbourne’s Ethiopian community, using the alias “Sobantu” and claiming adoption by the community, she faced backlash and was eventually ousted in 2021.
Now residing in the Melbourne area, Gibson has maintained a low profile, devoid of her once-prominent social media presence. However, with the release of the ITV documentary, her controversial saga resurfaces, inviting viewers to delve into the intricate web of deception spun by “Instagram’s Worst Con Artist.”
Originally from Launceston, Tasmania, Gibson gained prominence in May 2013 as a food and health blogger, amassing a substantial following on Instagram.She chronicled her supposed journey with terminal brain cancer, advocating for a plant-based diet and alternative therapies. However, doubts arose regarding the authenticity of her claims, leading to a downward spiral.
In April 2015, Gibson confessed to Women’s Weekly that her cancer story was fabricated, sparking investigations by authorities. It was revealed that she had never been diagnosed with cancer nor donated funds to charity, despite profiting from her bestselling app and cookbook. Legal repercussions ensued, with Gibson fined £240,000 in 2017 for violating Australian consumer law, according to a report from Metro.
Following the scandal, Gibson’s whereabouts remained relatively obscure until recent developments shed light on her activities. Despite her attempts to integrate into Melbourne’s Ethiopian community, using the alias “Sobantu” and claiming adoption by the community, she faced backlash and was eventually ousted in 2021.
Now residing in the Melbourne area, Gibson has maintained a low profile, devoid of her once-prominent social media presence. However, with the release of the ITV documentary, her controversial saga resurfaces, inviting viewers to delve into the intricate web of deception spun by “Instagram’s Worst Con Artist.”
