Far North police crack down on alleged fraud, with charges laid in Cairns and Innisfail

Police have cracked down on fraud cases across Far North Queensland, laying charges in two separate investigations involving alleged financial deception totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Police have cracked down on fraud across Far North Queensland, laying charges in two separate investigations involving alleged financial deception totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Picture: QPS.

Police have cracked down on fraud across Far North Queensland, laying charges in two separate investigations involving alleged financial deception totalling more than $200,000.

In Cairns, a 40-year-old Redlynch man has been charged with 28 counts of fraud after detectives allege he accepted deposits for fencing and landscaping work which was never completed or only partially carried out.

Police said the offences involved multiple victims between January 2023 and April 2025.

The man allegedly provided quotes and started contracts to complete fencing and landscaping works with multiple victims in the greater Cairns area.

It is further alleged he either failed to start the job, complete the job or only completed partial preparation works after receiving a deposit from the victims.

Police estimate the victims’ total losses as exceeding $118,000.

He is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 6.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, Cassowary Coast detectives have charged a 27-year-old Mourilyan Harbour man with one count of fraud.

He is accused of stealing more than $100,000 from an Innisfail business while employed there between January and April this year.

The 27-year-old is scheduled to appear in the Innisfail Magistrates Court on June 23.

Originally published as Far North police crack down on alleged fraud, with charges laid in Cairns and Innisfail