Uni student accused of faking GI Joe status to con woman Arrest in army scam
Jacko estate rejects sex abuse claims in doco
A GRIFFITH University student accused of posing as a US soldier to swindle a woman out of more than $300,000 in an online romance scam, has been refused bail after being caught in an elaborate police sting.
Cosmos Emeh, 32, was arrested on Thursday night at the woman’s Brisbane home after she became suspicious three months into the online relationship.
Detective Inspector Vince Byrnes said the “well-educated” woman, 34, had allegedly been duped by Emeh who lives with his partner at Durack, through a social media platform where he told her he was a US soldier serving in Syria.
The pair met online in October and the woman transferred more than $200,000 cash before giving Emeh another $100,000 when he came to her home posing as an agent for the fake soldier.
“These scammers are well versed, their predatory behaviour is based on their victim,” Insp Byrnes said. A NEW documentary that accuses Michael Jackson of sexual abuse has been denounced by the late pop star’s estate as an “outrageous and pathetic” attempt to exploit his name.
Leaving Neverland, which is to premiere at the Sundance
“They use various interaction methodologies for the purpose of targeting that victim and their vulnerabilities.
“In this case it was a backstory with a US military officer that involved the loss of close family members.”
He said this case was particularly disturbing in that while the scam relationships were usually solely online, in this case the defendant had allegedly met the woman at her home.
After her first meeting with the alleged scammer, the woman became and suspicious and contacted police who launched Operation Romeo Swift, luring Emeh back to the home for another “large amount of money”.
Emeh faced Brisbane Magistrates Court yesterday morning where his lawyer said he denied having any contact with the woman until the visit to her home on Thursday.
Emeh’s lawyer said her client was not a flight risk and denied having anything to do with the scam.
The case was adjourned to February 11. Film Festival this month, recounts the story of two men, who are now in their 30s, and alleges they were sexually abused by the King of Pop (pictured) when they were seven and 10.
“This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson,” the singer’s estate said.
“It’s baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve himself with this project.”
The filmmakers have confirmed the accusers are choreographer Wade Robson, who filed a lawsuit against Jackson in 2013 claiming the singer molested him, and James Safechuck, who sued Jackson’s estate over sexual abuse charges.
Both lawsuits were in 2017.
Director Dan Reed has defended his film. “If there’s anything we’ve learnt, it’s that sexual abuse is complicated, and survivors’ voices need to be listened to,” he said. dismissed