Canberra horse rider Jeremiah Deakin accused of posing as ASIO spy during alleged $700,000 fraud
A Canberra equestrian has fronted court after he allegedly posed as an ASIO spy while swindling a man of more than $700,000. He is facing more than 200 criminal charges.
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A Canberra equestrian allegedly posed as a spy as part of a years-long campaign of deception and fraud, police say.
Lawyers for Jeremiah Thomas James Deakin, 30, of Red Hill in Canberra’s leafy southern suburbs, appeared in the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where Deakin is charged with 156 counts of obtaining benefit by deception and 78 counts of impersonating a Commonwealth official.
Deakin was not required to attend court in person.
In a statement, ACT Police said the alleged offending took place between 2016 and 2018, and involved Deakin obtaining more than $700,000 from “a person known to him”.
Among the methods used in the alleged swindle was Deakin falsely and repeatedly posing as a member of Australian spy agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.
The precise methods of his alleged offending were not aired in court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Glenn Theakson said the Deakin’s charge list involved “dozens of charges … and then some”.
He told defence lawyer Andrew Chakrabarty the charge sheet was so long Deakin should enter his pleas in writing rather than in person.
Mr Chakrabarty said the case was “quite complex”.
Deakin is an avid horse rider, and ACT policing said they seized three horses and a Mitsubishi Triton under proceeds of crime laws.
Deakin’s social media depict his involvement in showjumping around Canberra.
Deakin’s house was raided in February, and police said their long investigation involved multiple searches.
Deakin’s case returns to court in late July.