An Australian father who was deceived by his former partner into thinking she had cancer has spoken out following her jail sentence.
Perth kickboxer and mother-of-four Tara Michelle Enoka was jailed last week for faking cancer to swindle more than $37,000.
She created a global GoFundMe campaign called ‘Stand With Tara’, claiming she needed life-saving treatment.
In a 2021 video, she pleaded for money to be around for her children, saying she had breast and cervical cancer.
Her lies convinced friends, family, and strangers worldwide to donate, but later it was revealed she was never sick.
Enoka was even spotted competing in a Bangkok kickboxing tournament while supposedly battling the illness.
Xavier Wills (pictured with Tara Enoka) shared an emotional message after his ex-partner’s shocking fraud conviction
In court, magistrates heard how Enoka (pictured) fabricated detailed treatment plans and hospital visits to maintain her lies
Wills has described years of manipulation, lies and emotional turmoil in heartbreaking detail
She cried when sentenced, taken into custody just before her youngest daughter’s fifth birthday.
Now her former partner, bodybuilding and fitness media figure Xavier Wills, has spoken out.
He has found new love after years of manipulation and deception at the hands of Enoka, along with allegations of physical abuse.
Wills, the father of Enoka’s two youngest children, lost a former partner of four years to cancer, which he believes is one of the reasons Tara used the disease to manipulate him.
The couple had broken up four months after the birth of their second child, before Enoka made the cancer revelation and Wills told her to move back in so he could support her.
It was Wills who drove the Stand With Tara campaign, even enlisting global stars like Jay Cutler, a retired American bodybuilder and four-time Mr Olympia champion, to help share the message and raise more funds.
Wills took on Enoka’s clients, training them and giving her the money, and had the role of full-time father and breadwinner during her cancer deception.
‘The manipulative measures that Tara went to were completely extreme,’ he said in a 2024 exposé on YouTube.
Wills (pictured with Enoka) said the global ‘Stand With Tara’ campaign was driven by his belief that he was saving her life
Despite still reeling from the betrayal, Wills told his children Sophia and Kylo (pictured together) they remain his strength and greatest motivation
‘From sending me detailed treatment plans to claiming she started having chemo, was having blood transfusions, having me collect the children from the hospital and even blaming me for her getting cancer.’
Wills posted to Instagram after Enoka was jailed, wishing his daughter Sophia a happy fifth birthday.
‘Your laughter and joy mean everything to me and I am so proud of the beautiful little girl you are becoming. Even through all the challenges, you continue to shine with so much love and happiness,’ he posted.
‘Sadly your mother was jailed yesterday for faking cancer. Evil acts such as fraud, blackmail and corruption have torn our family apart.’
Wills has a new partner now, primary school teacher Syalie Magar, who he recently paid tribute to for her ongoing support.
‘So blessed to have had this woman come into my life,’ he posted.
And Wills revealed that he would continue his fight for justice and to have the money returned to the people his former partner conned.
‘While she remains in jail for two months, much of the money raised through private donations has never been accounted for,’ he posted.
Wills has revealed he has found happiness with a new partner (pictured) following Tara Enoka’s deceitful cancer hoax
Wills has vowed to continue seeking justice for the people who were taken in by his ex’s campaign of deception
‘Many of those who donated are my family and friends who are willing to give statements, yet WA police have failed to speak to any of them.
‘I have sought legal advice and have been told that there is a case for prosecution. More will come in time.
‘Through it all Sophia & Kylo you are my reason to keep fighting and I am so grateful for you. I love you both more than words can express.’
Western Australia Police have been contacted by Daily Mail Australia for comment.
Enoka was sentenced to 13 months in jail, with 11 months suspended at Joondalup Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Raelene Johnston branded her actions ‘despicable,’ saying they undermined genuine fundraisers for real cancer patients.
The case dragged on with repeated delays, and Enoka admitted she did not know how to repay the money.
GoFundMe confirmed all donations were refunded in June 2024 under its Giving Guarantee.
