Daniel Meade: Moruya man allegedly sold fake gold bullion online

A south coast man accused of scamming people of more than $200,000 by advertising gold online has appeared in court facing 15 charges.

Daniel Meade allegedly pocketed $230k selling fake gold bullion online.

A south coast man accused of pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars after tricking multiple people into buying gold bullion online has appeared in court.

The allegations saw Daniel Meade, 36, face Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday, charged with 15 offences including ten counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception, two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, one count of deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100,000, possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit and possess prohibited drug.

The Moruya man is yet to enter pleas to the charges.

Police allege Meade was advertising gold bullion online while using a litany of social media aliases to various people around Australia.

It’s alleged when the sale was made and the money was sent, the buyers did not receive any gold.

Daniel Meade faced Batemans Bay Local Court on Monday.

Police allege the 36-year-old man scammed a total of 12 people and profited $230,000.

Documents tendered to the court state police began investigating Meade in October 2023, following reports a man was allegedly defrauding people online via social media.

In February this year, police conducted a search warrant on an address linked to Meade where they seized evidence.

It wasn’t until May 16 this year – following further investigations – that Meade was arrested and charged.

He was granted bail by Registrar Wendy Harris in Batemans Bay Local Court the following day.

In the same court on Monday, Meade’s lawyer Brett Ford asked for his client’s bail to be varied to allow him to attend rehabilitation.

The variation would include removing the curfew, residence and police reporting conditions – a request not opposed by Magistrate Doug Dick.

While Meade’s bail was varied to remove these conditions, a condition was added ruling he actively engage in rehab and not leave the facility unless given police authorisation.

Meanwhile, Mr Dick said the matter would need to be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions given the “significant amount of money” allegedly scammed by Meades.

Meade’s matter will return to Batemans Bay Local Court on June 24.

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