Rajesh Ponnaboina pleads guilty to fraud, dishonest gain benefit or advantage

A seasoned Brisbane five-star hotel outsourcer has risked his squeaky clean criminal record after police caught him red handed, attempting fraud, in an internet scam targeting an elderly victim.

Rajesh Ponnaboina pleads guilty to fraud, dishonest gain benefit or advantage

A Brisbane five-star hotel outsourcer has fronted court for the first time after police caught him “red handed” delivering the profits from an internet scam, derived the targeting of an elderly woman.

Rajesh Ponnaboina, 33, pleaded guilty to attempted fraud dishonest gain benefit or advantage at Cleveland Magistrates Court on Thursday April 4, 2024.

A Police Prosecutor told the court on March 8 2024 Ponnaboina picked up an envelope of cash, from a person who contacted him through WhatsApp, with an opportunity for him to make commission.

He drove from Doolandella to Redland Bay, the court was told.

Magistrate Deborah Vasta said the cash was proceeds from an $7,800 tax office scam that victimised an 86-year-old woman.

“Without someone to deliver the profits of fraudulent scams they wouldn’t happen,” Ms Vasta said.

The court heard police caught Ponnaboina “red handed’ with the cash at the receiving address at Redland Bay.

Rajesh Ponnaboina leaving Cleveland Magistrates Court.

Ponnaboina’s lawyer said he looked for extra work when struggling to pay bills after the birth of his baby.

“He was contacted on WhatsApp by what was the scam organisation but he didn’t have any knowledge of the scam prior to his involvement,” a lawyer said.

“He was tasked to take an envelope of cash to an address unknown to him before he arrived at the first address.

“He was told he would be awarded with compensation.

“He had a suspicious feeling but didn’t turn his mind to it,” she said.

The Police Prosecutor confirmed Ponnaboina had not yet provided the pick up address to police.

A lawyer said Ponnaboina’s offending was out of character and he felt embarrassed.

“He has expressed his extreme remorse and is empathetic (to the elderly woman) and people who are the victim of these kinds of offences.

Magistrate Vasta said Ponnaboina should be ashamed of himself.

“Someone who has your level of intelligence shouldn’t be stupid enough to believe there something legitimate about replying to this message on WhatsApp,” Ms Vasta said.

“The victim was an 86-year-old woman in her own home,” she said.

Ponnaboina was sentenced to serve 70 hours of community service.

No conviction was recorded.