Investigations by detectives from Logan, Brisbane and the Gold Coast have charged a 33-year-old Gold Coast man after he allegedly purchased multiple used luxury cars with stolen cheques.
Police allege the man would contact a person who had their car listed for sale online, before arranging a time to inspect the vehicle and obtain their bank account details.
He then allegedly deposited stolen cheques via an ATM into the victim’s bank account before leaving with the vehicle. The cheques would subsequently be rejected.
Police allege he fraudulently obtained 10 cars using the stolen cheques, including three Mercedes’, two Audis and two Volkwagens. The alleged offences took place between July and October this year in areas including Logan, Warner, Goodna and the Gold Coast.
He was taken into police custody around 3.30pm on Tuesday afternoon (November 3) at a shopping centre complex in Biggera Waters on the Gold Coast. A Volkswagen Golf was seized, and police located a taser and a quantity of drugs (GHB and methylamphetamine) in the car.
Of the alleged fraudulently obtained cars, a blue Volkswagen hatch (Queensland registration SGN-289) and a purple Mercedes sedan (Queensland registration 405-YZJ) are yet to be located. Police ask members of the community to keep an eye out for these vehicles (pictured below).
He was charged with five counts of dishonestly obtaining property, four counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle, three counts of breach of bail, two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count each of dishonestly applying property, dealing with identity documents, unlawful possession of a weapon, receiving tainted property and possessing tainted property.
He appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on November 4 and is due to appear again on November 9.
Investigations continue and police encourage any members of the public who have potentially been a victim to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day or call 1800 333 000.
