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.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.