Stolen ID loan scam claim
A GEELONG man who police allege is capable of creating new identities has been accused of stealing personal identification documents and using them to apply for a $31,000 loan in an alleged victim’s name.
Kane Turner, 31, of no fixed address but with links to the Lovely Banks area, faced deception charges at Geelong Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Mr Turner was granted bail and is expected to reappear on July 15.
The man, who has legally changed his name to Justin Williams, is accused of ransacking a Geelong home in August 2021 and stealing a laptop, iPad, power tools and various ID documents.
The court heard the alleged victims were unaware until their bank notified them of unauthorised transactions.
In the weeks that followed, he was accused of making a personal loan application with the stolen documents and lodging a claim for $31,000.
Once the amount was deposited into the account Mr Turner allegedly provided, the money was withdrawn.
In April this year, he allegedly drove a black BMW at high speed through a security gate at Avalon Airport, damaging the entry and causing $500 damage.
He called for roadside assistance, but due to his “erratic behaviour”, police attendance was requested.
A search of Mr Turner allegedly found a ziplock bag containing 0.37g of methamphetamine, while a search of his car allegedly uncovered a range of ID documents, including bank cards, Medicare cards, company identifications and driver’s licences.
The bank and ID cards were linked to several thefts from vehicles across Geelong.
Police told the court investigations into Mr Turner’s involvement were ongoing. The prosecutor also said the man was the subject of an ongoing “complex fraud and deception” investigation.
Requesting that bail be opposed on the grounds of Mr Turner posing an unacceptable risk, the prosecutor said he “has the ability to create fraudulent documents and create a new identity”.
Police also submitted bail could allow the man an opportunity to destroy evidence linked to the charges.
The defence lawyer argued there was no forensic evidence linking Mr Turner to the burglary, aside from the identification used to obtain the loan, and it was likely he had “spent more time in custody than the sentence that he would receive”.
Magistrate Simon Guthrie granted bail on condition that the man report to police three days a week, does not drive a motor vehicle, abides by a curfew and does not leave Victoria.
“I think you’re a risk. Let’s see what happens,” Mr Guthrie said.
“Come back any earlier (than July) and it won’t be good for you.”