Strange Instagram influencers responsible for shaking Australia’s online wellness community by pitching fraudulent claims have sparked new outrage after a decade of evasion authorities.
Bell Gibson dodged criminal charges after pushing for fraudulent claims on her online health blog, which has resulted in one of Australia’s most prolific frauds, creating rage from the victims and victims of the fraud.
The Australian wellness blogger is the latest theme in Netflix’s dramatic limited edition series, Apple Cider Vinegar.
The series follows the 26-year-old’s journey from single mother phrases to international fame in 2013, documenting a diagnosis of terminal brain tumors, sharing updates with viewers, and ultimately announces recovery from a fatal tumor.
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Belgibson will arrive at federal court in Melbourne, Australia on May 14, 2019. (David Crosling/AAP image via AP)
She used success stories to push her recipe app and cookbook “The Pantry.” Gibson has promised buyers that a portion of the proceeds will go to charities and families of children with cancer.
In 2015, the Instagram star looked amazing. She admitted that she had never been diagnosed with terminal illness and essentially exposed herself as a scam to her fans.
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Two years later, Australia’s Consumer Issues Victoria discovered that only 2% of the profits had been donated, and determined that Gibson had violated the Consumer Act. The country’s federal court ordered Gibson to pay the remaining 410,000 Australian dollars ($261,000), limiting her from making additional health claims.
In a letter to the court, Gibson admitted in debt that he was unemployed. According to Australian law, Gibson cannot refuse payments based on her financial situation, and by court orders the authorities can take additional steps to get the money.
Eight years later, authorities are still trying to raise fines and potential benefits from Gibson, but have not confirmed whether the funds have been recovered.
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Belgibson will arrive at federal court in Melbourne, Australia on June 20, 2019. (David Crosling/AAP image via AP)
“The consumer issues in Victoria continue to raise lawsuits under court orders to enforce the obligations paid by Annabelle Natalie Gibson,” the agency said in a statement in Fox News Digital.
Gibson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Gibson is not yet fully responsible for her actions, but her fraud has resulted in Australia.
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In 2022, government officials rewrite the country’s code for therapeutic health claims following public protests over fallout from Gibson’s false claims.
Anyone found to be violating the new guidelines could face a multi-million dollar fine, and those with health expertise can’t support companies pedaling their products to consumers. Pay-for testimony for related products is also prohibited.
“We don’t give up and want justice for those affected,” a Victorian government spokesman told Fox News Digital.
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Belgibson leveraged her popular Instagram account touted false claims about how her healthy lifestyle cured her fake cancer diagnosis. (istock)
The dramatic series was called “a true story based on lies” and did not premiere without controversy. Online communities praise the portrayal of harmful health cultures, while others believe the show is too close to home.
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Queensland man Kol Ainskou lost his wife and daughter, Wellness Influencer, to cancer, and believes the show is using fictional characters to portray his family and publishing a statement denounced production.
The show was “insensitive and obviously profit-driven,” Ainscough said.
Netflix did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
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The real-life story of Gibson’s fraud has yet to reach a final resolution, but Australian authorities claim they are pursuing justice in a decade.
“The recent dramatization of Ms Gibson’s actions () is a very realistic and long journey for businesses and individuals who have been injured and scamended,” a Victorian government spokesman said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We don’t give up and want justice for those affected. The fines will not expire. Mr. Gibson will be pursued by the relevant institutions.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
