Christian Nassar: Fraud kingpin on 585 charges denied bail
An alleged fraud ringleader could ‘disappear without a trace’ and would likely stop witnesses ‘by whatever means’ if released on bail, a court has heard. It comes as fresh details of the alleged criminal enterprise were revealed, including fears that two co-accused have been murdered.
The Express
Don't miss out on the headlines from The Express. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Teacher accused of sex act branded teen ‘delusional’ in cop interview
- Irish tradie alleged $900k scam fronts court
A man alleged to be at the heart of a multimillion-dollar car fraud syndicate has been refused bail over fears he could create a new identity and disappear “at the drop of a hat”.
Christian Nassar, also known as Ryan O’Hara, is facing 585 charges relating to an alleged syndicate which defrauded big companies and individuals out of millions of dollars.
He was applying for bail in the Supreme Court as he awaits trial – expected to take place later this year.
On hearing the application the court was told the 36-year-old had previously escaped from Parklea prison and had a history of offending while on parole and with warrants outstanding.
“Couldn’t he disappear into the Australian community without a trace?” Judge Christine Adamson asked Nassar’s defence lawyer.
“He can create a false identity at the drop of a hat and has done so hundreds of times.”
The crown submitted that if released on bail he would likely be interested in making sure lesser players “by whatever means” did not give “unfavourable evidence” against him in court.
The crown claimed he had the ability to “fly under the radar” and to manufacture all the tools “one would need to sustain yourself on the run”.
Nassar was arrested on April 13, 2019, and it is alleged he is the “central and main player” in a “sophisticated” luxury car fraud syndicate.
Police allege he used the identities of “unsuspecting people” to make fraudulent financial loan applications and purchase vehicles, which he would then sell at a higher price.
In doing so, it is alleged he defrauded big companies such as ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, Mercedes and Toyota, as well as blindsiding individuals, who needed to seek legal help to clear debts.
The Greenacre man will now await trial in protective custody at Parklea, after exhausting his options for bail.
Police believe this money went on to fund other activities of organised crime both in NSW and interstate.
It was speculated in court by Nassar’s defence, on information from police, that two co-accused from Queensland and NSW had been “murdered in the aftermath”.
In making his decision to refuse bail Judge Adamson took his escape from Parklea prison in 2015, as well as his past offending while on parole and with warrants outstanding, to mean he had a “substantial disregard for the law”.
“(His) capacity to … create false identities could be used to escape detection,” Judge Adamson told the court in her judgment, noting the real possibility he would not appear at his trial or would commit further offences if released on bail.
Nassar’s 585 charges include making false documents intending to cause a financial disadvantage, dishonestly causing financial advantage by deception, dishonestly obtaining property by deception and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He also faces one count of using a motor vehicle to avoid lawful apprehension and one count of assaulting an officer in the execution of duty causing bodily harm, relating to his arrest.
Nassar denies the charges against him.
It is alleged police tried to arrest Nassar multiple times before he rammed his car into a police vehicle at Condell Park and escaped.
There were nine co-accused in the case.
One of those, Comanchero gang member Shane Anthony Ross, has since died.
An investigation by police into the syndicate is ongoing and Nassar’s trial will likely take place in late 2020.