Boiler room bust: Five on fraud charges

Specialist police from the Financial and Cyber Crime Group have arrested and charged five people in relation to an alleged ‘boiler room’ investment fraud operating on the Gold Coast.

Operation Romeo Ecru was launched in October 2019 to investigate cold call investment fraud (share trading software) occurring on the Gold Coast. In May 2020, multiple search warrants were executed across the Gold Coast, where detectives seized a large number of documents and equipment indicating that the fraudulent scheme operated under the trading names ‘Starbrite Traders Pty Ltd’, ‘Digital Sky Systems’, ‘New Vision Products', and ‘NPL’.

Police allege the company defrauded more than $3 million from about 300 people between 2018 and 2020. Five people have now been charged in relation to the investment fraud. They include:

• A 60-year-old Upper Coomera woman has been charged with money laundering, fraud and personation in general—falsely representing.

• A 43-year-old Miami man has been charged with one count each of money laundering and fraud and is expected to appear at Southport Magistrate Court on March 19.

• A 42-year-old Broadbeach Waters man has been charged with one count each of money laundering and fraud and is expected to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on March 19.

• A 28-year-old Upper Coomera woman has been charged with one count of fraud.

• A 43-year-old Paradise Point man has been charged with one count of fraud and is expected to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on March 5.

  

Detective Inspector Kerry Lofdahl from the Financial Crime Unit encouraged people to do their due diligence before spending money on investments. “Apart from the financial detriment suffered by victims, it was also identified that there had been significant harm caused to victims, including loss of livelihoods and impacts on their personal health and relationships,” Detective Inspector Lofdahl said.

“No reputable investment firm will cold-call you or randomly contact you through online messaging platforms or social media to invest in their product.” “If you cannot explain to another person exactly how your investment works, you should engage the services of a registered financial planner.”

Members of the public can check if their financial adviser is registered by visiting MoneySmart.