Whitefox Recruitment’s Luke Hemmings, aka Dene Broadbelt, charged with $500k fraud

New details have been revealed about the allegations against the man behind a controversial recruitment agency, who was charged after police raided his Gold Coast office. FULL DETAILS

A controversial Gold Coast businessman allegedly ripped off more than $500,000 from several companies in less than a year, according to court documents.

Whitefox Recruitment’s Luke Hemmings appeared in Southport Magistrates Court this week, where he faces three charges of fraud – dishonestly inducing delivery of property to the value of $100,000 or more.

It is alleged the 31-year-old defrauded three companies – Fsoft, Practice Ignition, and Parakeet Payments – of a combined $547,808 between April 26, 2023 and March 1, 2024.

Police allege the frauds were all carried out at 35-39 Scarborough St, Southport, where it is understood Whitefox Recruitment is based on the Gold Coast.

Whitefox Recruitment's Luke Hemmings (right) leaving the courthouse with his lawyer after appearing for the first time since being charged with fraud. Picture: Jessica Paul

Charges were laid against Mr Hemmings last month after police raided the Southport office.

Mr Hemmings appeared beside his defence lawyer during this week’s brief court mention, where his case was adjourned to September 12. He remains on bail and will not be required to appear on the next occasion.

Neither he nor his lawyer would comment on the allegations or whether he planned to fight the charges.

Whitefox Recruitment bills itself as the Gold Coast’s top recruitment agency on its website, describing managing director Mr Hemmings as bringing “a new paradigm” and “visionary approach” to their work.

At the time of publication, no posts had been uploaded to the company’s Facebook, Instagram or TikTok profiles since July 23 - the same day news broke that charges were laid.

Mr Hemmings has previously denied any wrongdoing when his business dealings came under scrutiny.

“If any of this was true, why hasn’t there been any criminal proceedings of fraud allegations, deceptive conduct, any of that nature, brought before the courts?,” he said last November.

Luke Hemmings at his Southport office of Whitefox Recruitment. Picture Glenn Hampson

The former radio DJ and real estate agent has gone by many aliases including Dene Broadbelt, Lucas Hemmings, Dene Musillon, Dene Morgan, Harrison O’Connor, Nic Lloyd, Clay O’Connor, and Harrison Eyles.

He has in the past several years had companies including Lambert Willcox Group and Coceptive Recruitment – both of which have traded as Whitefox Recruitment Canberra – be wound up by a court or go into liquidation owing six-figure sums.

In an affidavit filed as part of the Lambert Willcox Supreme Court wind-up, Fsoft chief operating officer Dominic Balke alleged they were owed $169,000 by the company.

It was reported at the time that the liquidator of Coceptive Recruitment was investigating “potential illegal phoenix activity” after Lambert Willcox Group began using its logo and business model.

A sponsored online article about Luke Hemmings, "the visionary" behind Whitefox Recruitment.

Mr Hemmings also garnered headlines last year after using selfies with celebrities in a paid article about himself, with those featured – including public relations executive Roxy Jacenko and former breakfast show host David Koch – saying they did not know him.