A 23-year-old woman from Ayr, in Queensland's Burdekin region, has been charged with multiple fraud offences following an extensive police investigation into a series of alleged scams that defrauded victims of more than $100,000.
The woman, identified as Maddison Mackenzie Wendy Murison, appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday facing 39 charges, including fraud, identity theft, and dishonestly obtaining property. Police allege that between January 2023 and December 2024, Murison orchestrated a sophisticated scheme involving fake rental property listings and online marketplace scams.
Alleged Scam Details
According to police, Murison would post advertisements for rental properties that did not exist or were not available for lease. She allegedly collected application fees and deposits from unsuspecting victims, leaving them without accommodation and out of pocket. The scheme also extended to online sales, where she would list items for sale on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, accept payment, and never deliver the goods.
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Thompson of the Burdekin Criminal Investigation Branch said the investigation was complex due to the number of victims and the use of multiple aliases and bank accounts. “We believe there are at least 15 victims, but there may be more who have not yet come forward,” she said.
Victim Impact
One victim, a young couple from Townsville, lost over $4,000 in a rental scam. The couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said they were desperate for housing and paid a bond and two weeks' rent in advance after viewing a property that appeared legitimate. “We were devastated when we found out it was a scam. We had nowhere to go and lost our savings,” the victim said.
Another victim, a single mother from Ayr, said she paid $1,200 for a deposit on a rental property that never existed. “I was already struggling, and this just made everything worse,” she said.
Police Investigation
Police began investigating in early 2024 after multiple complaints were lodged with the Queensland Police Service's Fraud and Cyber Crime Group. The investigation involved analyzing bank records, phone data, and social media accounts. Murison was arrested at her Ayr home on Tuesday without incident.
Police have seized electronic devices and financial documents as part of the investigation. They are urging anyone who may have been a victim of similar scams to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
Detective Senior Constable Thompson advised the public to be cautious when dealing with online advertisements. “Always verify the legitimacy of rental properties and sellers before making any payments. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is,” she said.
Court Proceedings
Murison appeared via video link from the watch house and did not apply for bail. Magistrate John Smith remanded her in custody to reappear in the same court on March 15. The court heard that the alleged frauds involved a total of $112,000. Legal aid has been appointed for Murison, who is expected to enter pleas at the next hearing.
The case has drawn attention to the prevalence of online scams in regional areas. According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Australians lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with rental and property scams accounting for a significant portion.
Community Reaction
The Burdekin community has expressed shock at the allegations. Ayr Mayor, Jenny Smith, said the news was distressing for a tight-knit community. “This is a small town, and we look out for each other. It's sad when someone takes advantage of that trust,” she said.
Local real estate agents have also warned residents to be vigilant. “We always advise people to deal with licensed agents and never pay money without seeing the property in person,” said local agent Mark Brown.
Police continue to investigate and encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via their website.
