Queensland Police have charged a Kallangur man with 14 fraud offences following a string of alleged online livestock scams.
Police say that between August and October last year, the man received money from victims who believed they were purchasing livestock feed and animals including cattle, donkeys and a kitten, after they were falsely advertised for sale on social media.
Police identified 12 buyers who deposited more than $7,500 to the alleged seller, who never delivered the animals or feed.
Following extensive investigations, detectives from the Forest Hill Rural and Stock Crime Squad executed a search warrant at a Kallangur address on Tuesday.
The man was charged with 14 counts of fraud, as well as three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possess utensils or pipes, and producing dangerous drugs.
He was given a notice to appear at Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 14th.
The Rural and Stock Crime Squad encourages buyers to conduct background checks in relation to the seller and livestock before paying any deposit, Queensland Police said in a statement.
“These checks could include arranging to inspect the livestock, requesting the Property Identification Code, Australian Business Number and having a voice phone conversation with the seller,” Police said.
Police encourage anyone who is a victim of this type of crime to the Australian Cyber Security Centre at Report | Cyber.gov.au.
