Duo charged after line dancers robbed of $200,000
Two men have been charged with fraud after allegedly luring line dancers to pay for holidays that didn't exist, robbing them of more than $400,000.
This is twice as much money as police believed was stolen initially. The money was allegedly used for online gambling, according to Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers.
Brett Jenkins, 38, and father Bruce Jenkins, 67, whom police had been searching for since about April last year, were arrested at a Kings Beach unit on Wednesday after a tip through Crime Stoppers.
It follows a series of fraud complaints relating to line dancing events.
Brett (left) and Bruce Jenkins (right) are accused of scamming life savings out of elderly Queenslanders.Credit:Queensland Police Service
It will be alleged the men committed fraud offences by organising holidays via a line dancing travel company.
The holidays included group trips overseas and domestically including line-dancing festivals, balls and cruises. After money was paid, the holiday was cancelled with no refunds provided.
Police initially received 75 complaints for a fraud value of $144,000 from people across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
A further 127 complaints with a fraud value of $178,000 were received after an appeal for information in April 2019.
Senior Sergeant Rogers said the men allegedly targeted elderly men and women who were vulnerable.
“To put that trust in somebody and then have it abused is just heart wrenching, and all for what?" he said.
"It's really heartbreaking for the victims, especially knowing that their life savings have gone on gambling.
"But you can rest assured that the Queensland Police will be seeking restitution for the multiple civilians who have been offended against."
Senior Sergeant Rogers said the men went to great lengths to go undetected, including by putting on weight, growing long beards, changing clothing once they left a shopping centre separately, and paying all their living arrangements in cash.
The men from Kings Beach have each been charged with 202 fraud offences.
Both men will appear at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday afternoon.
Senior Sergeant Rogers urged any other scam victims to come forward.
Investigations were continuing.