Jessica Camilleri allegedly defrauded business of $81,000 through fake transaction receipts

A psychology and criminology student was arrested over $81,000 fraud allegations only moments after she exited court following a brief mention for another similar offence.

Detectives arrest Jessica Camilleri at Sutherland Local Court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A woman was arrested over $81,000 fraud allegations only moments after she walked outside of court after a brief mention for another dishonesty offence.

Jessica Camilleri was charged with dishonestly obtaining property by deception and was refused bail at Sutherland Local Court on Tuesday.

Camilleri was originally in court to enter pleas of not guilty to two counts of separate charges of dishonestly obtaining property by deception which was set down for hearing on April 24 and 26.

But when the Liverpool 35 year old left court with her barrister she was immediately arrested over the new allegations.

Those relate to Camilleri allegedly sending an online inquiry in July about a 3.5 tonne diesel forklift to the Handymax Trading, an organisation that sold a range of heavy machinery and parts, a police statement of facts said.

Jessica Camilleri outside court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

A Handymax employee contacted Camilleri who allegedly identified herself as Nicole and they discussed the prospect of sales before Camilleri provided a Chipping Norton delivery address.

Camilleri allegedly received a quote for $25,278 and it was returned with the digital signature from “Nicole”.

Camilleri allegedly sent the employee a screenshot of a transaction receipt, which stated “payment submitted” listing the transfer amount as $25,278 on July 12.

The employee allegedly believed the payment had been made and arranged a delivery driver to transport the vehicle to the listed address, the documents said.

Camilleri allegedly asked for another quote for an additional forklift and a wheel-loader stating she was happy with the forklift already delivered; receiving a quote for $56,056.

She allegedly sent two screenshots of two payments of $50,000 and $6056 on July 14.

Jessica Camilleri was arrested outside court. Picture: Ashleigh Tullis

The employee stated the company had not received any funds for the first payment but Camilleri allegedly reassured her she had contacted the bank and there would be no issue, court papers said.

Arrangements were made to deliver the additional machinery to the same Chipping Norton address.

After no funds had allegedly been received, the employee made several inquiries – including with the delivery drivers and both banks – before the case was reported to police.

Camilleri inquired about purchasing another five forklifts and a scissor lift and the employee refused to make more sales without payment for the previous orders.

The company allegedly lost $81,334 and the machinery has not been recovered, documents said.

Police made inquiries with the bank Camilleri used and investigators allege she did not have the means to make the payments and therefore never intended to do so because she only had $1000 in the account.

Police allege Camilleri – in previous offences – used the same method of scheduling payments to generate transaction receipts as a means of deceiving individuals and businesses before they were aware the transaction was voided, documents said.

In court, Camilleri’s lawyer said her client worked as a case manager and mentor at the Women’s Justice Network and lived with her partner, adding she had completed a TAFE certificate in youth work and was enrolled in a psychology and criminology university course.

The lawyer noted Camilleri was on strict bail and the offence predated the other allegations she was originally in court for on Tuesday, adding there was no suggestion Camilleri had committed any new offences while on bail.

The lawyer also noted Camilleri was suffering from several medical problems for which she needed treatment.

Magistrate Jillian Keily said Camilleri had an “extensive criminal record” for similar dishonesty offences and had previously served jail sentences before she refused bail.