Wanted man’s boat sale

POLICE have seized the boat of an accused conman who officials believe could have skipped the country to avoid serious fraud charges which carry a penalty of up to two decades in jail.

North Queensland dentist Ockert Josephus Fourie remains a wanted man and police are working to track down the 43-year-old South African expatriate.

Fourie is accused of defrauding the Bank of Queensland and others when he allegedly fraudulently sold his Airlie Beach dental business by providing buyers with forged bank statements.

While on bail for the aggravated fraud charges, Fourie used the alias Josef Swort as he conned multiple businesses in Townsville and Airlie Beach before taking off on his boat without paying, a court heard.

The vessel, worth an estimated $40,000, was found abandoned in Cooktown earlier this year and seized to allow Fourie’s alleged victims to make a claim against it in a bid to recover some funds.

Fourie was last seen in Cooktown around the same time.

A court ruling handed down on Tuesday means a string of businesses owed a combined more than $35,000 have a chance to recover the money after a court on Tuesday ordered that the boat be sold to recover some debts.

Dianne and Paul Eardley from Townsville Slipways and Boat Sales were allegedly fleeced of more than $30,000 for unpaid work when Fourie, armed with a handful of excuses, left town.

Townsville Slipways is one of a string of businesses which Fourie allegedly left with unpaid bills, the court heard.

A company in the Whitsundays has claimed close to $5000 from the boat’s sale on top of claims from other creditors, including the Eardleys.

While Fourie’s whereabouts are unknown, his wife and teenage son remain in Townsville.

Police, on behalf of creditors, lodged a civil claim against Fourie asking for possession of the seized vessel to allow its sale to recover money.

Magistrate Scott Luxton decided the case in the absence of Fourie, who could not be served with the claim against him.

Mr Luxton ordered the boat be transported to Townsville for sale to recover moneys owed.

Fourie is known to use the alias Josef Swort. He is described as caucasian, approximately 170cm tall with a proportionate build, short ginger hair and a large bushy ginger beard.

He is South African but speaks with an Australian accent.

Anyone with information or who may have had contact with the man should contact police.