Former air force technician allegedly stole $700K from 95-year-old man

A one-time Royal Australian Air Force avionics technician has appeared in court over allegations he defrauded a 95-year-old man of $680,000 and stole a further $20,000.

Nathan Partlin speaking with media outside the Brisbane Arrest Court on Wednesday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A former member of the Australian Defence Force has appeared in a Brisbane court charged with defrauding an elderly man of $680,000.

Nathan James Partlin, 33, of Birkdale also is charged with stealing $20,000 from the 95-year-old Cleveland man’s bank account and computer hacking.

Police will allege Partlin committed the crimes after befriending the elderly man after one of his relatives met the alleged victim through a community organisation.

It will be alleged Partlin dishonestly induced the man to part with a total of $680,000 over three months.

Nathan Partlin has been charged with $680,000 worth of fraud. Picture: Supplied

Partlin, a former Royal Australian Air Force avionics technician, helped the elderly man with computer matters and discussed his own need for financial help, it will be alleged.

The pair allegedly bonded over their respective armed services history.

Partlin is alleged to have convinced the man to give him $330,000 on June 22, 2020, $300,000 in the following month and another $50,000 in August that year.

The fraud offences allegedly occurred at Cleveland and Partlin is alleged to have stolen $20,000 on November 10, 2020, at Birkdale, by transferring the money from the elderly man’s account to his own bank account.

Nathan Partlin leaving the Brisbane Arrest Court on Wednesday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Police began an investigation mid-last year and Partlin was arrested in December after police executed a search warrant at his Birkdale home.

Partlin, who had been discharged from the RAAF, now lists his occupation as a student.

He appeared for the first time in Brisbane Magistrates Court today and was granted bail on his own undertaking.

The case will return to court in early March.