Strike Force Sarina charge third person in connection to fraud of deceased East Corrimal man’s estate
Detectives have made another arrest as they probe the allegedly fraudulent access of deceased Illawarra man Marino Mikleus’ $6m estate.
Police & Courts
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A third person allegedly embroiled in a $6m deceased estate scam had been charged after he allegedly oversaw the signing of a fraudulent will.
It comes after Matthew Barnes, 38, was charged earlier this month after allegedly breaking into his deceased neighbour Marino Mikleus’ home north of Wollongong in January 2024 and stealing documents to fraudulently create a will in his favour.
A NSW Police spokesman said Barnes is accused of unlawfully applying for probate and using the proceeds of the will to buy goods, including guns, cars, a motorbike and a jetski.
Following reports of a break-in at Mr Mikleus’ Lake Pde, East Corrimal, home, Strike Force Sarina was established to investigate.
Police searched Barnes’ neighbouring home in September and they allegedly found documents – including an original will – which were seized for forensic examination.
After another search on Wednesday morning, police seized two rifles, four gel blasters, ammunition, meth, cash, an Audi RS 6, a Toyota RAV4, a Holden Commodore, a jetski and a Ducati H9 motorcycle.
Barnes was arrested and charged with 27 offences allegedly in the period from August, 2023.
The charges include breaking and entering, participating in a criminal group, two counts of making a false document and two counts of dishonestly obtaining financial property by deception.
Barnes is also charged with seven counts of knowingly dealing with crime proceeds and six firearm and ammunition offences.
Police allege one of the proceeds of crime charges relates to a unit on the other side of the deceased’s home.
SF Sarina arrested Barnes’ partner Magnolia Rose Farmer last week and charged the 39 year old with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
On Thursday NSW Police arrested a 67-year-old man at a home in Koonawarra with a spokesperson stating the man allegedly co-witnessed the signing of the will.
The man was charged with dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
He was granted bail by police and will front Wollongong Local Court in March.
Farmer was previously granted bail at Wollongong Local Court while Barnes remains in custody on remand after withdrawing a bail bid on Wednesday.
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