Olympian Neil Brooks wanted for questioning in relation to fraud charge

OLYMPIAN Neil Brooks is wanted for questioning by police investigating an alleged $1.95 million fraud.

OLYMPIAN Neil Brooks is wanted for questioning by police investigating an alleged $1.95 million fraud.

Police have confirmed a warrant has been issued for the champion swimmer – who is believed to be overseas - over an alleged fraud perpetrated by a sports clothing company.

Brooks’s wife Linda was arrested after flying into Perth airport from Bali on Friday and has been charged with one count of serious fraud.

Olympic swimmer Neil Brooks won gold as part of the Mean Machine at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.

Queensland police confirmed in a statement that detectives from the state’s Financial and Cyber Crime Group “attended the Perth Magistrates Court today to make application for the extradition of a woman in relation to an alleged $1.95 million fraud offence in 2008”.

“The woman was arrested on Friday, October 13, 2017 when she flew into Perth International Airport.

“It will be alleged the woman was a director of a sports clothing manufacturing company who, along with other directors, made dishonest representations about the success of the business in order to induce a victim to purchase a fifty percent share of the company.”

A Perth magistrate “ordered the 45-year-old Southport woman to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday November 13 in relation to one count of fraud”.

Brooks won gold as part of the 4x100m medley relay team at the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

Detective Inspector Melissa Anderson said the allegations, if proven in court, would send an important signal to the community.

“Crimes of this nature are serious, and for those who deliberately try to take advantage of others, our message is simple – you will be caught, and you will face prosecution,” she said.

Detective Superintendent Terry Lawrence of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group urged all Queenslanders to remain vigilant to deceptive people.

“The best way to remain in control is to seek independent advice, challenge claims and review the information provided to you prior to parting with your money or signing a contract,” he said.