Cameron Randall Gidley-Baird charged with defrauding Upper Hunter landholders of $2.7m

Hunter Valley police have arrested a former Muswellbrook man after a two-year investigation allegedly uncovered at least 10 landholders being left millions of dollars out of pocket.

A member of a well-known Upper Hunter family will spend Christmas behind bars after being charged over a $2.7m fraud which allegedly targeted multiple landowners already struggling through the worst drought on record.

Cameron Randall Gidley-Baird, 47, is facing multiple serious fraud charges and one count of attempting to pervert the course of justice following a two-year investigation by Hunter Valley police.

Strike Force Nannine began when a man attended Muswellbrook police station in October, 2019, to report allegations he had been duped out of $116,000.

With the help of a specialist forensic accountant, investigators allegedly identified another nine victims across rural NSW.

Cameron Gidley-Baird was arrested in Adamstown before being taken to Newcastle police station (above) where he was charged. Picture: Google Maps.

Police will allege Gidley-Baird defrauded the 10 victims of over $2.7m over a 10-year period, preying upon the farmers as they battled to stay afloat during the worst drought in Australian history.

Last August, an arrest warrant was issued in Cessnock Local Court for Cameron Gidley-Baird, the son of now-deceased prominent Upper Hunter vet Gavin Gidley-Baird, after he had moved to Victoria.

Investigations led police to an address on Awaba Rd at Adamstown on December 14, where Cameron Gidley-Baird was arrested and taken to Newcastle police station.

He was charged with nine counts of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and one count each of obtain money by deception, knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime and do act with intent to pervert the course of justice.

Gidley-Baird faced Muswellbrook Local Court on Monday where an attempt to be released on bail was refused.

He will reappear in Muswellbrook Local Court on February 22.

Strike Force Nannine investigations continue.