Detectives from State Crime Command’s Financial and Cyber Crime Group have today charged a 55-year-old Beaudesert man with a serious fraud offence following a four-month investigation.
Investigations commenced after police received a complaint from the victim the man had misappropriated $189,000.00 he had provided as a deposit on a block of land at Terranora in New South Wales.
Police will allege the man induced a member of a Gold Coast law firm operating a trust fund for the purchase of the land to transfer the money to him prior to the sale being finalised.
Consequently, it will be alleged the victim not only lost their money, they were unable to purchase the block of land.
The man is expected to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on January 23, 2020.
Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said investigators are reviewing all aspects of this case.
“This is a large sum of money for anyone to be defrauded of and it is concerning the man was able to manipulate the security of the trust fund,” Detective Superintendent Lawrence.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
