Sippy Downs woman Samantha Duncan refused bail after alleged dating site fraud
A man searching for love has instead found an alleged Sippy Downs swindler who used $14,000 of his money for “luxury items” including lashes, anti-ageing cosmetics, cigarettes and booze.
Police & Courts
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A man searching for love has been allegedly duped out of $14,000 from a Sunshine Coast woman through a “romance scam”.
Police allege Samantha Lee Duncan, 46, is at the centre of the deceptive fraud who went on a spending spree after she was transferred a large amount of money from a man she met on a dating website.
Maroochydore Magistrates Court heard details of the allegedly deceptive swindle by the Sippy Downs woman on Friday when she applied for bail.
Duncan faces 32 charges including 17 counts of fraud, six of stealing, three of trespassing among other alleged petty crimes.
Police prosecutor James Allen alleged the Sippy Downs woman was involved a “romance scam” after meeting her victim on a dating website.
Mr Allen said the man allegedly transferred $14,107 before she spent thousands at bottle shops, cigarette shops, cash converters and bought hair extensions, lashes and anti-ageing cosmetics.
Mr Allen said Duncan was also charged with a number of shoplifting offences at the Sunshine Plaza where she is banned from.
Duty lawyer Alex Collins said the alleged conduct was largely disputed and cited how the alleged shoplifting offences were for insignificant amounts.
Mr Collins said the Sippy Downs woman’s criminal history “moved into another level” in 2022 and 2023. Prior to this she was a married with a child.
The court was told Duncan suffered personal hardship in the relationship along with a traumatic brain injury and became reliant on alcohol. She was now on the disability support pension.
Acting magistrate Anna Smith said police alleged the 46-year-old defrauded the man on a “dating scam” before spending the cash on “luxury items”.
Ms Smith said Duncan was on bail and probation during some of the charges, allegedly failed to appear in court and even contravened a banning notice given to her from Sunshine Plaza.
Duncan’s bail was refused and had her matters adjourned to June 21.
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