Father son duo who allegedly ripped off dozens of elderly people with the promise of exclusive line-dancing holidays have gone on the run
- Brett Jenkins, 37, and Bruce Jenkins, 66, accused of ripping off 100 people
- Complainers saying they paid the pair from $300 to $10,00 for trips and cruises
- '...last 6-12 months to for us to establish the fraudulent activity,' police said
- Police said the pair were last seen leaving a house on Brisbane's northside
A Queensland father and son who allegedly ripped off line dancers for hundreds of thousands of dollars with fake trips remain on the run.
Brett Jenkins, 37, and Bruce Jenkins, 66, are accused of using their trust built up in the line dancing community over 15 years to arrange trips for people before cancelling them and not paying refunds.
In the past 12 months, about 100 people have complained of paying from $300 to $10,00 for trips and cruises to compete in or attend social line dancing events in Australia or abroad.
Police say the number of victims is growing daily.
They are trying to establish why after years of being 'heavily' involved in line dancing, the pair might decide to rip people off.
Brett Jenkins, 37, and Bruce Jenkins, 66, are accused of using their trust built up in the line dancing community over 15 years to arrange trips for people before cancelling them and not paying refunds
Brett Jenkins and his father are now on the run and were last seen leaving a house on Brisbane's northside
'It's over the period they've been able to establish that trust and rapport,' Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers said.
'It's only been the last 6-12 months that we've been able to establish the fraudulent activity.
'For some of these people, it's their life savings.
'They've saved up for a trip of a lifetime. It's now never going to happen.'
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At least one post on Facebook suggests the pair were unwell.
'Being sick does not give you a free pass to take people's money, cancel events, stop communicating and delay refunds, (if in fact there will be any refunds - who would know ) poor businessman and poor communicator - Highly NOT recommended,' Leanne Cleary wrote on January 13.
Client Pam Watkin wrote on January 10: 'There is no way you can get in touch with Brett Jenkins either by phone or email etc. as he has changed both.'
Client Pam Watkin wrote on January 10: 'There is no way you can get in touch with Brett Jenkins either by phone or email etc. as he has changed both'
The Queensland Line Dancing Association has moved to distance itself from the pair.
'I would like to reiterate that Brett Jenkins is not and has never been a member of our association. We have no affiliation whatsoever with him in his capacity as a Line Dance Instructor or with his Travel Company,' QLDA President Jo Rosenblatt posted on social media on Monday.
Police said the pair were last seen leaving a house on Brisbane's northside.
They acknowledge they could be interstate but do not believe they have left the country.
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