Diagnosis? Deception (part one): Inside Nicola Flint’s fake cancer fraud

This is part one of a two-part A Moment In Crime special.

Christchurch woman Nicola Flint told friends she was dying, even showing them the spot where her ashes would be scattered.

They grieved and gave thousands to help her fight cancer.

But police say the terminal diagnosis was all a lie – and behind it, a web of forged medical letters, bank payouts and theft from a rugby club – fraud totalling more than $180,000.

Now, as Flint hides out in Wales from the fallout of her elaborate tales, Herald senior crime and justice journalist Anna Leask looks inside the alleged fraud and speaks to those hurt the most by the fake cancer.

If you have information about Nicola Flint, contact anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

READ MORE:

Inside alleged Christchurch fraudster Nicola Flint’s elaborate, years-long cancer con

Christchurch cancer fraud: Friend of Nicola Flint speaks out on lies

A Moment In Crime is written and hosted by Leask — who specialises in crime and justice reporting. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 20 years. This episode was produced by Leask and NZME audio engineer Alastair Boyes.

If you have a crime or case you would like to hear more about, email anna.leask@nzme.co.nz

Since 2019, A Moment in Crime has produced over 55 episodes and has been downloaded over 1 million times, with listeners in over 170 countries. It was nominated for Best True Crime Podcast at the 2024 Radio and Podcast Awards.

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