Convicted property fraudster Mo Du tells District Court long delays mean he should receive lenient sentence amid appeal bid

A man who defrauded investors out of millions of dollars over three high-profile Adelaide property sales says he deserves leniency because it was so long ago.

A multimillion-dollar fraudster has begged for a lenient sentence because of the case’s lengthy delays and psychologists who say he likely won’t reoffend – but prosecutors say he’s shown no remorse.

Auxiliary Judge Barret heard sentencing submissions from counsel for Mo Du, 35, after he was found unanimously guilty by a jury on seven counts and not guilty on two counts of deception. He has now launched an appeal bid.

Chris Kammerow for Du asked His Honour to take note of the delay between his offending, which spanned from 2014 to 2017 and netted him $5.51m, until his conviction in 2024.

“As Your Honour is well aware, the defendant was arrested on April 19, 2018, which was over six years ago,” Mr Kammerow said.

The former Indian restaurant at 157 Waymouth St. Picture: Matt Loxton

The former EG Wigg and Son factory in Thebarton. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“A decision of the Queen v Todd, where Chief Justice straight says … the situation plays a dominant role in the determination of sentence, at times this can require what might otherwise be quite undue degrees of lenience being extended to the prisoner.

“It goes on to talk about being a powerful mitigatory factor in the defendant’s favour.”

Mr Kammerow also submitted an expert psychological report that said Du had a “low” likelihood of reoffending.

During the District Court trial, prosecutor Kosmas Lesses told the court Du misrepresented the price of three properties – one at 157 Waymouth St in Adelaide, one at 79 Port Rd, Thebarton and one at 9-11 Dequetteville Tce, Kent Town.

9-11 Dequetteville Tce is one of the three properties.

“A significant portion of the complainants’ purchase funds was allegedly spent on unrelated things like house purchases, expensive motor vehicles, personal expenses and large ATM cash withdrawals,” he said.

The investors previously told the court they trusted Du to invest their money given the uncle-nephew-like relationship he had with one of them.

Mr Lesses said on Thursday that Du hadn’t shown any remorse or insight into his offending, which was clearly a case of “good old-fashioned greed”.

“It seems very plain and Your Honour will sentence on the basis that the victims were deceived, basically to obtain fund to support something of a luxurious lifestyle,” Mr Lesser said.

“Mr Du hasn’t said anything about the offending (in the psychological report) or commented about it, let alone shown any remorse or insight, so we say what is contained in that report about low risk of offended has to be regarded carefully.”

The court heard civil proceedings were also underway, and his honour asked for further submissions to be made about a “restitution” offer from Du to each of the victims.

Sentencing submissions will return to court later this month.

Originally published as Convicted property fraudster Mo Du tells District Court long delays mean he should receive lenient sentence amid appeal bid