A woman who faked a cancer diagnosis for support and financial aid will spend time behind bars and repay her 78 victims almost $24,000.
In 2012, Amanda Maree Power, then 35, began her volunteer work with Cancer Council Queensland, later crafting a web of deceit to manipulate those around her, including friends and coworkers.
She began to falsely claim she was diagnosed with cancer and sought sympathy for her faked illness.
Power deceived a total of 78 individuals, persuading them to fund various personal expenses such as travel, meals, lodging, transportation, and even purported medical expenses.
Some of her victims had several cancer diagnoses themselves.
Her falsehoods allowed her to secure an employed position with the council and to be honored as the first Australian Global Hero of Hope Ambassador by Relay for Life, an accolade that included a trip to the U.S.
At her sentencing hearing in Townsville Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Magistrate Steven Mosch discussed how Power’s deceitful tactics gradually wore down her victims.
She built friendships and ingratiated herself into her victims’ lives and offered to connect with them over their struggles, the court was told.
Amanda Maree Power, 35, (above) told friends and colleagues she had cancer for years
One example was a 54-year-old woman who was diagnosed this year with a second form of cancer.
In an impact statement, it was revealed how Power reacted insensitively when a woman undergoing treatment mentioned her hair loss, as reported by The Courier Mail.
‘It’s not my fault, I’ve only ever had the good chemo and not lost my hair,’ the woman claimed Power said.
“[Power] took advantage of the empathy that cancer evokes, causing prolonged damage to a community that depends on honesty for empathy, raising awareness, and fostering true human bonds.”
The court also heard that Power told some of her victims her cancer was terminal, and requested they serve as pallbearers at her ‘imminent’ funeral.
The prosecution argued Power knew she was not ill and defrauded victims of nearly $24,000.
About $1,900 of this sum was taken from her former employer, Cancer Council Queensland.
Defence lawyer Nick Douglas of Legal Aid Queensland submitted psychological reports suggesting Power met the criteria for a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder, Conversion Disorder, and Major Depressive Disorder.
Power (pictured) collected almost $24,000 from supporters over the years
Magistrate Mosch said Power had engaged in ‘reprehensible and cruel conduct’ over the years
He argued she had already suffered punishment through public disgrace but accepted responsibility for her acts.
The 35-year-old pleaded guilty to all 79 charges of fraud.
She will serve a two-and-a-half year sentence.
The first six months will be served behind bars, before she is released to serve the remaining term as a suspended sentence for three years.
The court also ordered Power to repay the money to her victims.
Magistrate Mosch said Power had engaged in ‘reprehensible and cruel conduct involving a web of lies that evolved over quite a number of years’.
Matt Gardiner, Cancer Council Queensland CEO, told Daily Mail no donations made to the organisation were involved in Power’s con.
‘Five years ago, when concerns were first raised about the personal crowdfunding page of a former employee, we immediately cooperated with the Queensland Police on the matter,’ he said.
‘It is important to note that no donations made to our organisation were involved.
‘We are extremely grateful to those who came forward at that time, and we always encourage anyone with questions or concerns to contact us directly.’
