Port Adelaide mother 'faked' ovarian cancer
A Port Adelaide mother of three is accused of faking ovarian cancer to defraud her family and friends of more than $300,000.
Victims of the alleged scam say Kelly Smith used her son’s illness and her fake cancer to gain the funds.
Dubbed Adelaide’s Belle Gibson, Ms Smith allegedly told those close to her she needed financial help to pay for her son’s specialist care.
A family friend, who didn’t want to be named, told 7News the alleged scam has hurt the community.
“They gave thinking that they could change the outcome for that family and it wasn’t true,” she said.
“People have taken from their super, people have withdrawn from their home loans.
“I think when it’s someone close to you and you think they’re going to go through something so tragic, you do everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen to them.”
The 38-year-old didn’t appear in court today over claims she conned family and friends into giving her more than $325,000.
Legal representation appeared on Ms Smith’s behalf, and were told she must be present for her next appearance in September – otherwise an arrest warrant will be issued.
“It just hurts everyone and there’s too many people that have given and been hurt by this and trusted her,” the family friend said.
“When someone tells so many lies, they start believing it and I think that was the case here.”
Ms Smith declined to comment when contacted by 7News.
