Dream Design Do Australia’s Zaki Ameer to face fraud charge in proceedings brought by NSW Fair Trading

Property investment pin-up boy, Sydney’s Zaki Ameer, is facing a criminal fraud charge. Find out why.

This is Sydney high-flyer Zaki Ameer: author, guest speaker, real estate guru, wealth development coach and now, alleged fraudster.

Ameer, who flaunts his lavish lifestyle on social media, once featured on the front page of The Australian Financial Review for his views on property taxation.

But later week the 44-year-old will be defending a criminal charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.

It’s a crime that carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years.

However, because the alleged offence is being prosecuted in the local courts, the upper limit is two years.

Zaki Ameer with singer Kelly Rowland in 2018. Picture: Zaki Ameer’s Instagram page

A court attendance notice seen by The Daily Telegraph claims that in 2020 Ameer caused a bank receipt to be provided to Richard Orchard and/or Arthur Brooks which said a $4000 payment had been made to one or both men from Ameer’s company, Dream Design Do Australia Pty Ltd, “in accordance with a conciliation agreement, knowing that no such payment was made.”

According to the notice, Ameer “did, by deception, dishonestly obtain financial advantage of $7500 or part thereof for his company (DDDA)”.

The accusation is yet to be proven.

Zaki Ameer has been charged with a single count of fraud. Picture: Zaki Ameer's Instagram page

Messrs Orchard and Brooks did not respond to requests for comment.

Ameer told The Telegraph he had pleaded not guilty.

“The client was paid his due monies and an additional full settlement amount before the charge,” he said.

Zaki Ameer with former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. Picture: Zaki Ameer's Instagram page

According to his social media profiles, which feature selfies with former prime ministers and premiers, Ameer arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka when he was 18 to study and achieve his “big dreams for business success”.

He worked full-time and undertook a Bachelor of Business degree at night.

Then “a chance meeting … inspired him to try his hand in property investment,” according to the Dream Design website. “After a few short years, Zaki had secured a successful portfolio of 10 properties, valued at over $3 million.

“Quickly gaining recognition for his success, Zaki began speaking at seminars and events about wealth creation and personal development. Zaki recognised his enthusiasm for mentoring. This led to the creation of … a unique wealth creation program.”

Ameer’s promotional material says he has helped clients purchase more than 2000 properties and that his goal is to be known “as the number one company for wealth creation when it comes to real estate investment globally.”

A hearing on the fraud charge has been set down for Thursday June 13 at Parramatta Local Court.

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