We’ve all heard horror stories of individuals faking illness to receive sympathy, money, and fame. Most recently ,Australian health food blogger Belle Gibson. Gibson claimed to have brain cancer and decided to turn down a conventional cancer treatment plan, opting for self-treatment with nutritional powerhouse foods aimed at healing the body.

Gibson (Photo: Instagram)

Gibson documented her journey via Instagram and her cook book, “The Whole Pantry.” During this “Journey” she claimed to donate roughly $227,000 to different charities.

Turns out, the “Whole Story” was a big fat lie. After various news outlets, professionals, and her own friends began to question Gibson’s cancer tale, she admitted the whole tale was completely fabricated. “No. None of it’s true,” Gibson told The Independent.

So what possesses people like Gibson to create such and elaborate scam? There have been plenty of people in the past who have scammed their way to fortune and fame by conning people into believing they are idealistic. Take for example Lance Armstrong, no he did not fake his testicular cancer, but instead road off the emotions of fans who fell in love with the cancer victim who went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles after his battle with cancer. Of course, we all know now he had used performance-enhancing drugs over the course of his career.

Armstrong (Photo: EPA)

Where is the guilt and moral respocibilty that these individuals seen to lack? It could possibly be the result of “The Dark Triad.”

In a recent interview with Yahoo Health, Art Markman, a psychology professor at the University of Texas, states, “The dark triad is a combination of high levels of narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism.”

According to Markman “Narcissists derive their self-esteem from the accolades of other people. Psychopaths have little empathy for others and are not bound by the moral constraints that help to keep most people’s behavior in check. Machiavellians are manipulative and willing to lie to achieve their goals. People with this combination of traits are more likely to get wrapped up in extended lies in the public sphere than those who are not.”

There’s no proof Gibson and Armstrong are “members” of “The Dark Triad,” however  they are proof of honesty is the best policy.