A 68-year-old man has faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court after being extradited from New Zealand on allegations he defrauded an elderly family member of more than $1 million.
Queensland Police said detectives from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group secured the man’s extradition after New Zealand Police arrested him in Christchurch on July 15. He appeared in court today charged with fraud dishonesty causing detriment of at least $100,000, categorised as a domestic violence offence.
An arrest warrant had been issued after the man, then 64, failed to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 4, 2022, where he was due to face a fraud charge.
Detectives launched their investigation in January 2021 following a complaint from the Public Trustee on behalf of an 83-year-old Ashmore woman. Police allege that between 2014 and 2018, the man transferred more than $1.145 million from the woman’s accounts into his own, and made over $150,000 in unauthorised purchases and withdrawals using her debit card.
Detective Superintendent Lance Vercoe of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group said the investigation highlights police will act to protect and support victims of elder abuse.
“In all of my 42 years of policing, I find these types of offences the most gut wrenching and disturbing, that someone could treat their loved ones this way,” Detective Superintendent Vercoe said.
The lengthy investigation led to the man being tracked to New Zealand, where police successfully applied for his extradition earlier this week.
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