‘Come back and man up’: Fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s wife in explosive tell-all interview

The estranged wife of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has launched a blistering attack on the wanted man claiming he has abandoned his three youngest children and even tells them their home is full of demons to hide the real reason they could soon be homeless.

Nissy Mattar speaks out about estranged husband, Jean Nassif, and THAT Lamborghini: Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

The estranged wife of fugitive property developer Jean Nassif has launched a blistering attack on the wanted man claiming he has abandoned his three youngest children and even tells them their home is full of demons to hide the real reason they could soon be homeless.

In an explosive tell-all interview with The Daily Telegraph, Nisserine ‘Nissy’ Mattar, as she is now known by her maiden name, reveals her 15-year relationship with the Toplace founder was “highly-controlling and very abusive”.

She said it’s time for Nassif, 55, to “man up”, stop hiding out in Lebanon and instead come home and face the more than 20,000 homeowners he’s left in limbo, as well as his children.

“Stop blaming everyone else for the mess you caused. You aren’t the victim. Come back, man up and deal with the consequences of your actions like a responsible adult,” Ms Mattar, 36, said.

Nissy Mattar, 36, says her estranged husband Jean Nassif needs to come back and ‘face the consequences’, as he’s wanted by NSW Police. Photographer- David Swift

Nassif is wanted by NSW Police over a $150 million fraud allegation. On top of that, his construction company Toplace was placed into administration in July with an estimated $1 billion of debt and thousands of homeowners affected in the largest property collapse in Australia’s history.

“I know a lot of people are suffering because of Jean ... there are at least 20,000 people who are struggling because of what he’s done.”

Asked whether she ever had any concerns about how her husband funded her high-flying lifestyle, Ms Mattar said: “I had nothing to do with the day to day running of Toplace. I was raising the children. I had no idea what was going on, I didn’t question it.

“But now that I know what Jean is capable of doing to his own children, then WTF was he capable of doing to other people.”

The mother-of-three says Nassif needs to stop playing the victim. Photographer- David Swift,

The mess left behind by Nassif

The colourful property tycoon went to Lebanon late last year for business, and hasn’t returned.

He left Nissy and the children in their palatial waterfront home, in the city’s inner west, but the multi-level residence is now in the hands of administrators.

In March, detectives from the organised crime squad raided the house in connection to allegations he fraudulently obtained a $150 million Westpac loan, and seized every bit of cash including cash birthday and Christening gifts given to the children.

Ms Mattar says she is now borrowing money from friends and her family.

“He has stopped paying for food for them, petrol, bills, education, medical - all child necessities, yet all while he’s lying to people saying he’s still paying,” she said.

She said she worries every knock at the door could be the one to tell her the home is being repossessed.

“Jean tells the kids that there are seven demons living in our house. He tells them they’re going to be chucked out on the street, but he says it’s not dad’s fault, it’s because there’s these demons.”

Jean Nassif is wanted by NSW Police over allegations of $150 million fraudulent dealings. He is pictured leaving Burwood Local Court in 2022 after allegations he assaulted his then wife Nissy were dismissed because she was overseas and couldn’t give evidence. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Life with Nassif

Ms Mattar says life with Nassif was lavish, but it came at a price.

“Jean was an amazing provider for a long time, but very controlling. I had no access to a joint bank account,” she said.

“He structured it that way so that when I left him, I had nothing.”

A showy social media post which went viral of Nassif gifting his wife a yellow Lamborghini gave the impression of a loving and generous husband, but Nissy says the real story behind the car was actually “very distressing”.

“There’s a story to be told about that car, but not yet ... there will be a right time, and what you saw on social media was not remotely like the real story.”

Nissy says her 15-year relationship with the controversial businessman was “controlling” and at times abusive.

The mother-of-three says she walked away from the marriage, knowing he would “torture me emotionally, financially and physically” for leaving him, but she had no idea he would use the children as pawns in his game.

“I want to make it very clear that he liquidated the company because I left him, not the other way around. I left him, that’s why he liquidated the company,” she said.

“He ruined me and my potential in life, now he’s trying to ruin my kids. For all those years, I lived a life trying to make everything look glossy and shiny and perfect, because that’s the nature of the person I am, I like things to look good. I’m a performer. But behind the glossy veneer, the struggle was very real.

The bright yellow Lamborghini Nissy was gifted.

“When I met him I was only 20, I used to live in my parents’ granny flat and drove a Toyota Corolla worth $4,000.

“I was studying performing arts and I worked at my dad’s friend’s restaurant on a casual basis. But at least I didn’t have all these debts and worries that I have today because of him. Sleepless nights, alopecia, having to borrow from people to feed my kids.”

Police and Nassif

Police issued an arrest warrant for Nassif in June, saying he’s wanted for questioning over multimillion-dollar fraud allegations.

An Interpol red notice alert means he will be arrested if he arrives back on Australian soil.

But Ms Mattar says the lack of an extradition treaty between Australia and Lebanon, so Lebanese authorities can’t arrest Nassif on behalf of NSW Police, is doing her children, and all his alleged victims, an injustice.

“These extradition orders need to be sorted,” she said.

“In the meantime, he’s making me suffer so I give up and send the kids to Lebanon to be with him.”