Former NSW cricketer accused of faking terminal cancer

A former NSW cricketer has been charged with fraud after allegedly faking cancer to raise money.

Melissa Quinn (pictured as a young mother) allegedly faked cancer twice to raise money.

Melissa Quinn (pictured as a young mother) allegedly faked cancer twice to raise money. Source: Supplied

Police allege Melissa Quinn, from Casino in regional New South Wales, raised $45,000 in donations intended to pay for life-saving treatment in the United States. 

Police say Ms Quinn, 35, first claimed to have a rare form of cancer in August 2014. 

At the time she worked for Cricket NSW which supported her efforts to raise money to receive proton radiation therapy in California. 

Six months after returning home supposedly cured, police say the mother-of-four said she had been diagnosed with brain cancer and chronic myeloid leukaemia. 

Cricket NSW again helped her raise money and high profile cricketers, including former Australian captain Michael Clarke, donated to her fundraising campaign. 

Ms Quinn was arrested and charged on Wednesday with use false document to obtain financial advantage, make false document to obtain financial advantage by deception and four counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.

Her story received widespread publicity and was featured on the ABC's 7.30 program in January 2016. 

She told the ABC that she'd been given just two years to live when she was diagnosed with brain cancer.

"That was devastating, it was very hard, not just on me, on the kids and on the family," Ms Quinn told the ABC.   

Ms Quinn was reportedly played for NSW's under-19s cricket team before giving up a promising career to raise a family.  

She was granted conditional bail and will appear in Casino Local Court next month. 

Cricket NSW has been contacted for comment. 


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By Rosemary Bolger


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Former NSW cricketer accused of faking terminal cancer | SBS News