Benjamin Carter, Carter’s Tax Advisory, Penrith makes Supreme Court bail bid after arrest over alleged $26m tax-related fraud

A western Sydney accountant facing charges for an alleged $26 million in tax-related fraud has made a bid for bail in the Supreme Court. It comes as his alleged victims can be revealed.

Alleged fraudster accountant Ben Carter. Picture: Facebookj

A long list of alleged victims, some out of pocket hundreds of thousands of dollars, has been revealed as a Penrith accountant charged with fleecing almost $26m from clients has indicated plans to apply for bail.

Benjamin Carter, of Carter’s Tax Advisory, applied to the NSW Supreme Court on Monday morning for a bail hearing on August 16.

Nine clients – including a man purchasing shares in a beer company partly owned by NRL playmaker Nathan Cleary – have been listed in court documents.

Carter is facing 16 charges, including 14 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.

Image of Benjamin Carter has been charged with tax fraud offences allegedly worth up to $26 million.

The 36-year-old was arrested by NSW Police State Crime Command’s Raptor Squad at his home in Silverdale on Tuesday, July 12 and refused bail in Penrith Local Court.

Police will allege in court Carter dishonestly obtain financial advantage from Margaret Bennett to the tune of $21,039, Better Bar Chairs for $60,027 and $369,351 from an un-named alleged victim.

Carter is alleged to have fleeced Alex Vella of $8289, Edmund and Karen Erler of $20,533, Mark Ganley for $10,189 and Michael Zammit for $114,119.

Amy Steele, the partner and executive assistant of Benjamin Carter leaves Penrith Court. Photo-Jeremy Piper

According to court documents, another victim, Steve Castle saw $14,520 taken, while The

Gem Frame and Truss PTY LTD was allegedly fleeced of $263,902.

Carter is also accused of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage or cause disadvantage by deception “in his capacity as a tax agent accountant and chief financial officer of Drink West” to faciliate the purchase of shares by another victim, Adam Fraser, to the tune of $440,000.

In a statement on July 12, representatives of Drink West said Carter’s involvement with their brand ended in July 2022. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing or knowledge of the alleged fraud by Cleary or anyone involved with Drink West.

Carter’s personal assistant and defacto partner Amy Steele, 25, was granted bail in Penrith court, after she was arrested and charged with trying to conceal his misconduct.

Carter did not appear during a bail application submission to the Supreme Court on Monday morning, with his matter listed for a hearing on August 16 before the Supreme Court.

He’s yet to enter a plea.