Man, 26, arrested after alleged online livestock scam

A man will face court on 14 fraud charge following an alleged online scam involving cattle, donkeys, livestock feed and a kitten was uncovered by police. SEE THE FOOTAGE.

A man will face court in November after alleged online livestock scams left prospective customers ripped off.

The 26-year-old Kallangur man has been charged with 14 fraud offences which police will allege occurred in 2023.
It will be alleged between August and October 2023, the man received money from victims who believed they were purchasing livestock feed and animals including cattle, donkeys and a kitten, after they were falsely advertised for sale on social media.

Police have identified 12 buyers who deposited more than $7,500 to the alleged seller, who never delivered the animals or feed.

Police will allege they uncovered drug utensils during a search at Kallangur. (Photo: Queensland Police)

Following extensive investigations, detectives from the Forest Hill Rural and Stock Crime Squad executed a search warrant at a Kallangur address earlier this week.

The 26-year-old man was charged with 14 counts of fraud, as well as three counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, possess utensils or pipes, and producing dangerous drugs.

He will face Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 14.

The 26-year-old man has been charged with 14 fraud offences.

The Rural and Stock Crime Squad urged buyers to conduct background checks in relation to the seller and livestock before paying any deposit.

These checks could include arranging to inspect the livestock, requesting the Property Identification Code, Australian Business Number and having a voice phone conversation with the seller.

Police encourage anyone who is a victim of this type of crime to alert the Australian Cyber Security Centre at Cyber.gov.au.

Originally published as Man, 26, arrested after alleged online livestock scam