Understanding Why Individuals Falsify Illness for Financial Gain, According to a Psychologist

In recent news, Queensland woman Amanda Maree Power was sentenced after faking cancer and deceiving others to collect approximately A$24,000 over several years, using the funds for holidays and fake medical bills. Her case underscores the complex reasons behind such deceptive behaviors, which are often motivated by underlying psychological needs or external incentives.

Faking illness, especially serious conditions like cancer, is a phenomenon observed globally, with notable cases including wellness blogger Belle Gibson in Australia, who was fined for misleading claims, and individuals like Ashley Kirilow and Maddison Russo from Canada and the U.S., who were convicted of fraud. These individuals exploit both social and financial systems to benefit from false health claims.

Psychologists classify such behaviors mainly as malingering or factitious disorder. Malingering involves deliberate deception to achieve external goals, such as avoiding responsibilities or obtaining money, and includes faking an illness, exaggerating symptoms, or claiming ongoing illness after recovery. Factitious disorder, previously known as Munchausen syndrome, involves creating or exaggerating symptoms primarily to fulfill psychological needs like attention, care, or validation.

While terms like malingering and factitious disorder sound similar, distinguishing between them is crucial for treatment and legal reasons. Misidentification can lead to inappropriate medical care or legal consequences. The prevalence of these behaviors is believed to be low but remains challenging to quantify due to their covert nature.

Social media and online platforms have amplified the ease of faking illnesses, as they enable individuals to access support networks, charities, and crowdfunding opportunities. They also facilitate the rapid spread of false claims, making it harder to verify the authenticity of such stories.

The repercussions of faking illness extend beyond the individual, causing emotional betrayal, financial loss, and distrust within communities. Genuine patients suffer as support and donations might shift away from those with real struggles, intensifying the societal impact.

Detecting deception in health claims remains difficult because humans are naturally biased towards believing loved ones and are often unaware of subtle signs of falsehoods. Confirmation bias, in particular, hampers objective assessment of suspicious behavior.

Although scams involving health falsification are rare, they highlight the importance of skepticism and verification, especially in online fundraising and support initiatives. Addressing these issues requires a combination of psychological intervention for true psychiatric conditions and legal measures for fraud cases.

In conclusion, understanding the psychological motivations behind illness faking and improving detection methods can help mitigate the harm caused by such scams. Promoting awareness and careful validation are key to protecting both individuals and wider society from the consequences of deception.