Burdell woman charged in alleged $2.5m Tully fraud scheme

Detectives have charged a Townsville woman in connection with an elaborate alleged fraud operation in Tully involving millions of dollars following a year-long probe into the case.

The woman is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on August 12. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Detectives have charged a Townsville woman in connection with an elaborate fraud operation in Tully involving millions of dollars following a year-long probe into her alleged misdeeds.

The 50-year-old Burdell woman, who worked as an office manager at a Tully business, is accused by police of misappropriating more than $2.5m over a six-year period from 2017 to 2023.

Police said her alleged financial escapades only came to light in June 2023, when the business owner detected suspicious transactions and tipped off police.

In response, detectives executed search warrants at multiple locations in Tully and Brisbane seizing electronic devices and financial records.

The haul of evidence led to a slew of charges against the woman, totalling a staggering 121 counts.

The charges include 95 counts of stealing by clerks and servants, 13 counts of computer hacking and misuse for personal gain, seven counts of stealing by directors or officers of companies, and multiple counts of fraud.

The woman worked at a Tully business for six years before the alleged fraud as discovered. Picture: Peter Carruthers

Notably, several charges involve amounts of at least $100,000.

Cairns-based Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan said police would allege that the woman relocated funds, and altered business documents including payroll information to commit the offences.

“The offending is against a (single) business but the impact of the fraud offending affects multiple businesses,” he said.

“She abused her position by altering financial records including accessing and falsifying elements of payroll.

“(The investigation has been) a significant impost on the detectives’ work, it’s one that we are obviously very proud of given that they have come to this result after 12 months … whilst also undertaking their other duties in a small regional Criminal Investigation Branch.”

Police declined to state the sector in which the woman was working.

Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan at the Cairns Police Station. Picture: Brendan Radke

Acting Superintendent Goan said the woman had allegedly got away with the fraud for six years before the missing money at last raised the suspicion of the business owner.

“An audit of records identified that there was misgivings within the accounting processes and they have reported to police,” he said.

“I guess the message to business owners is that if you think something is not right, then you need to take the necessary steps to be assured that your practices are safe, and that you are not being defrauded.”

Police stated there was no evidence of the accused living large and spending big on luxury items and there was nothing to suggest that anyone else was involved or the woman had a gambling problem.

Detective Sergeant Stu Jones from the Tully Criminal Investigation Branch said the nature of the alleged offending seriously concerned the police.

“This complex and protracted investigation highlights that the Queensland Police Service takes this offending seriously, and we will hold those who breach positions of trust to account,” he said.

He praised the dedication and expertise of the investigative team, noting, “investigations of this nature are complex, and this outcome shows the commitment, dedication, and skills of our detectives to pursue and target professional facilitators to disrupt serious crimes.”

Detective Sergeant Jones urged the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious financial activity to Policelink.

The woman is due to appear before the Townsville Magistrates Court on August 12.

Originally published as Burdell woman charged in alleged $2.5m Tully fraud scheme