Jamie Close granted bail on $2m investment scheme charges

A holistic health expert alleged to be part of a multimillion investment scheme is facing fresh charges over the alleged discovery of a recording.

Jamie Close has been granted bail.

UPDATE

A self-styled holistic healer charged with defrauding millions from investors has been hit with new charges after he allegedly recorded his own court proceedings.

Jamie Close, 49, was charged with 18 offences last December over allegations he and business executive Mark Estephan, 40, took $4 million from investors and transferred it overseas without investing or returning it.

He spent four weeks in custody on remand before he was released on strict bail conditions akin to house arrest.

However, Close has now been hit with two new charges over allegations he illegally recorded his own court proceedings during a recent bail application.

The two new charges of using a recording device in court premises and transmitting sounds and images of court proceedings will be mentioned when Close next faces Sutherland Local Court on his prior charges on Thursday.

The holistic health coach - who calls himself the Vitality King - last faced court earlier in March in a bid to be permitted to reside at his Canberra rental home instead of with his parents at their Kirrawee retirement village.

That application was refused by Magistrate Joy Boulos at Sutherland Local Court after a Commonwealth prosecutor said Close would be unable to report for bail to ACT Police outside the NSW jurisdiction, or to travel over the border to Queanbeyan to report in NSW.

EARLIER 

‘Vitality King’ speaks after bail granted on fraud charges

By Eliza Barr on January 5, 2021

A holistic health coach who calls himself the Vitality King has spoken out on social media after his release from prison on bail following an investigation into alleged investment fraud.

Jamie Close, 49, spent three weeks behind bars on remand after he was charged with 18 offences under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act.

A court heard Jamie Ronald Close, 42, has no job or discernible form of income – but for several months he allegedly transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars from his Australian bank accounts offshore to London, Poland and Hong Kong.

Jamie Close has been charged with transferring money overseas while unregistered after an investigation into an investment scheme.

Police will allege the money – which is thought to amount to $2.3 million between Close and his co-accused, investment firm CEO Mark Estephan – was taken from aspiring investors who entrusted the pair with their savings.

Close now stands charged with 18 counts of transferring money overseas while he was unregistered, as well as driving while suspended and four property offences relating to $10,000 cash and 64kg of silver bullion in a safe at his parents’ Kirrawee home.

Jamie Close, 49.

Close was initially refused bail after his arrest on December 3, but he was home for Christmas with his family after a second bail application by his solicitor Robert Daoud succeeded.

On Christmas Day, Close – sporting a new beard from his time behind bars – posted a picture of himself with his parents on Instagram.

The "Vitality King" Jamie Close.

He returns to court on January 28.

“Merry Christmas everyone, thank you 4 (sic) your prayers and sending me love,” Close wrote.

“I deeply appreciate each and every one of you who know the TRUTH.”

On Tuesday Close posted another picture giving a thumbs up.

“No matter what happens, keep smiling and stay positive,” Close captioned the image.

Close and Estephan are both due to face Sutherland Local Court on January 28.

At a prior bail application, police prosecutor Sergeant Turner told Magistrate Jayeann Carney that Close allegedly used multiple accounts in his name to make unauthorised transactions.

“How did an unemployed health food salesman on Centrelink come to be handling $2.3 million and 64kg of silver bullion with multiple accounts and transactions going through his hands?” Sgt Turner said in court.

“The prosecution case is extremely strong – the accounts are in his name, the business is in his name, he had no financial training within the money markets and he’s not listed on financial registers.”

Close in happier times.

Close’s solicitor Robert Daoud told the court Close was not the major player in the offences alleged by police.

“The facts on which he is charged allege that he is not registered as a person who can move money in that volume in line with AUSTRAC regulations,” Mr Daoud told the court.

Close once performed with the Australian Chippendales troupe and sold supplements and health food for multi-level marketing company Isagenix.

As the “Vitality King” Close frequently spoke at seminars and workshops and offered a range of services including “Sacred Body Bliss” – a female-only spiritual healing, conscious breathing and intuitive massage service.

Close previously resided in Giralang near Canberra but is now residing in the Sutherland Shire while he is on bail.

Close at work.