A 52-YEAR-OLD Gold Coast man was charged today after property investors were swindled of $2.2 million by cold callers.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said an 11-month investigation found Members Alliance Group had sold home and land packages through a scam operation.
Police will allege the man had dishonestly induced victims across Australia to transfer money into accounts he controlled.
“The Members Alliance Group ceased trading in July 2016 and many victims were left without insurance to complete homes,” the spokesperson said.
“The investigation involved building companies owned by the Members Alliance Group, including Image Building Group and Silverback Constructions.”
The spokesperson said the investigation, called Operation Oscar Monkshood, was helped by both the Queensland Building and Construction and Australian Securities and Investments commissions.
QPS financial and cyber crime group Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence urged people to be wary of cold callers selling investment properties.
“Legitimate, law abiding businesses do not operate in this manner,” he said.
“A cold caller is not operating in your interest, only in the interest of themselves.”
For more information, visit the Queensland Police website “R U in Control?” here.
