Tara Enoka: Accused fake cancer fundraiser and aspiring boxer back in Joondalup court

A mother-of-four and aspiring boxer has been warned that she is running out of time to plead to a charge that she fraudulently pocketed more than $37,000 in donations after falsely claiming she was battling cancer. Tara Michelle Enoka appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court on Friday after she was charged in June following an investigation stemming from an online appeal posted in March 2021. In a video posted online, the 35-year-old claimed that she had been diagnosed with rare breast and cervical cancer, alongside a hashtag #StandWithTara. “I’ve never been the type of person that’s ever asked anybody for help,” Ms Enoka said. “And in the last couple of weeks I’ve learned that it’s okay to ask for help. “We’re raising the money to help pay for the treatments that I need to potentially save my life sorry that I can be here for my kids to watch them grow up.” Ms Enoka only spoke to confirm her name when she appeared before Magistrate Evan Shackleton. He remanded the matter to August 26. “A plea must be entered on that date,” he said. “Things have got to move along.” At the time Ms Enoka was charged, police said they would allege her appeal for money included a GoFundMe page, which stated the monies raised would go towards assisting her seek the expensive treatment needed to battle the type of cancer she was fighting. They allege she subsequently registered herself as the beneficiary of the funds being raised. “It will be further alleged the woman appeared in a video on a separate website to assist with promoting the fundraising activity, claiming the money raised would be used to pay for her medical treatment,” a police spokesman said. Police will allege between March and September 2021, more than 500 people from 16 different countries donated more than $37,000 to the GoFundMe page. It will be further alleged between March 2021 and October 2021, the woman transferred more than $36,000 from the fundraiser to her own bank account. “It will be alleged the woman had not been diagnosed with the medical condition as the fundraising account and supporting video claimed,” the police spokesman said. Ms Enoka’s personal social media feeds show her family life with her four children, her fitness regime and her recent foray into the boxing ring. She has won one fight, and lost another – with a third fight, for the ANBF Australasian Lightweight Championship, due to be held in August.