Deep water for man over fraud charge
AN elderly Machans Beach man allegedly caught in a police sting trying to swindle money from a would-be employee of his failed water company has appeared in court.
Karl Brooks, 82, allegedly ran an advertisement in the Cairns Post earlier this month looking for an office manager for Rainforest Water Australia Pty Ltd.
Mr Brooks claims to be the managing director of the business, which was spruiked three years ago under the premise it would capture Far North rainwater which would be bottled in Hong Kong and sold in China.
According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, the company was deregistered in April.
The ad, which ran on June 9, described the position as being “Cairns-based” and open for early retirees to apply “as you bring a wealth of experience with you”.
It included a phone number that allegedly belonged to Mr Brooks.
An Innisfail man allegedly answered the ad after it appeared in the paper.
Police allege he was offered the job by Mr Brooks with a salary of about $160,000 but was also allegedly told he must buy into the company by way of $50,000 worth of shares.
The Cairns Post understands the job applicant became suspicious of the deal.
He contacted police, who launched an investigation.
Detectives searched Mr Brooks’ Machans Beach residence on Monday and allegedly seized several items of interest to the investigation before taking Mr Brooks into custody.
It is alleged he tried to fraudulently obtain the funds for the company between June 9 and 26.
He appeared in the Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday charged with one count of attempted fraud.
The case was until July 6. adjourned
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