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Gemma Goodwin, of Brent Way in Dartford, forged medical documents stating she had breast, lung and cervical cancer. Goodwin, 38, who shaved her head to keep up the fake act, claimed she only had a year to live and convinced a friend to set up an online fundraising page in April 2018 titled: “Gemma’s treatment in America”.

The page claimed the treatment in the US could extend her life by three years and would be funded by the NHS, it added the donations would cover travel expenses.

It read: “As you all know Gemma has sadly been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, stage 2 breast and cervical cancer.

“We initially only intended on making the most of what time she had left as treatment in America seemed impossible but after a lot of consideration and numerous calls from consultants Gemma has decided to fight for more time with her 3 beautiful kids.

“The treatment will potentially give her another three years. The NHS will fund the actual treatment but we need to raise the money to get here there. The total is for insurance, flights and accommodation.

“Please, please share and donate as much as you can, every little bit will help get Gemma the treatment she is so desperate for. Thank you to everyone that has so far donated and shared our page, your kindness means so much to Gemma.”

Goodwin withdrew around £2,000 raised from the page and took her family on holiday, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

In 2015, Goodwin took out a life insurance policy, which included a terminal illness benefit worth £130,000.

The policy meant the holder could be compensated in the event of being diagnosed with a condition carrying a life expectancy of fewer than 12 months.

Three years later, she made the first attempt to make a fraudulent claim and emailed the insurer to report that she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had about a year to live.

She sent a separate letter to find out how she could claim in order to support her children and to make funeral arrangements.

Two months later, the court heard Goodwin wanted to nominate a colleague as a beneficiary to manage the claim upon her death.

Goodwin submitted hospital forms, saying she had stage two breast cancer, stage two cervical cancer and stage four lung cancer.

The insurer contacted the NHS hospital directly and was told she had never been a patient there, prompting Goodwin to cancel her claim.

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Goodwin later admitted mocking up the letter at home on her computer.

Five months after the insurers discovered her medical records had been forged, in January 2019, Goodwin contacted the firm again to claim she had just three months left to live.

Goodwin then repeatedly tried to change the policy, but in late 2019, the insurer wrote back to say the policy was being cancelled.

The City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) interviewed the nominated beneficiary, who had met Goodwin through work in 2012.

The friend revealed to police how Goodwin had repeatedly lied about being ill.

On Tuesday, Goodwin admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and was sentenced at Woolwich crown court to a two-year suspended prison sentence with a six-month electronic tag.

Detective Constable Kim Negus, from IFED said: “Goodwin is a deceitful and shameless individual, exploiting a devastating illness for personal financial gain.”

Detective Constable Negus added: “Goodwin clearly has no remorse when it comes to her fraudulent activity, but she should know by now that the truth will always be uncovered.”
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