Fraud arrest, Southport
Detectives from the Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad have charged a Parkwood man over his alleged involvement in the selling of advertising in fictitious publications.
The arrest came following the execution of a search warrant at a Southport business. It will be alleged the search resulted in the location of an operational call centre employing up to twelve people to cold call victims and ‘sell’ them advertising in a variety of national magazines and periodicals.
Detective Inspector Scott Knowles said the scheme may have been occurring since 2013, extending interstate and operating under a variety of business and publication names.
‘The amount of material we have removed from the premises is significant, and it will take us some time to sort through it and contact potential victims. We believe, however, we will be able to identify those affected by this business through the records we have seized. While the arrest overnight related only to five fraud offences, there will most certainly be a significant number of further charges and arrests as the investigation progresses.’ Detective Inspector Knowles said.
A 64-year-old man has been charged with five counts of fraud and is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court this morning.
Police are appealing for anyone that believes they may have been fraudulently targeted in the same manner to contact Crime Stoppers.
Investigations are continuing.
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.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
