Convicted fraudster Anton Mentz – formerly known as Marius Ackerman – arrested on Gold Coast on fresh fraud charges

Convicted fraudster Anton Mentz – previously known as Marius Anton Ackerman – has been arrested after allegedly scamming about $100,000 from at least eight people.

ANTON Mentz, formerly known as Marius Anton Ackerman, shielded his identity by covering his face while sitting in the back seat of an unmarked police car.

Police will allege he did the same to investors by scamming about $100,000 from at least eight people through a loan scheme.

The career conman is accused of running a fraudulent finance company under the name of Citi Private Capital.

Mentz’s home inside a ritzy gated community at Hope Island was raided early yesterday morning before he was placed in the cop car and taken to the Southport Watchhouse and charged with one count each of carrying on the business of committing fraud and disobeying a lawful order.

Police seized a number of computers, printers and phones from the home.

It will be alleged the 51-year-old defrauded eight different people about $100,000, although police believe there could be many more victims.

Police will allege Mentz was using the identity of Jarred Raymond Scott, 31, who on Thursday appeared in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to an unrelated burglary charge.

Outside of court Scott, the sole director of Citi Private Capital, had denied he had anything to do with the alleged fraud.

He said he was in prison between January and June so could not have sent any documentations to clients.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Procter said police would allege Mentz told clients he could obtain finance for them before taking large fees.

An older photo of Mentz.

Police said they had been investigating complaints since April.

“It will form part of the allegation that he has put liens (unregistered mortgages) on people’s homes to illicit further funds from them,” Sen-Sgt Procter said.

“We’re looking at about the $100,000 mark across the eight victims, but we do expect that will rise ... so if anyone has had dealings with this man, we are appealing for them to come forward.

“There are other people involved in this that we want to speak to.”

Alleged victims include a businessman from Brisbane who claims Mentz, using the name Jarred Scott, reneged on a loan agreement but then registered a security against his industrial property, preventing him from refinancing the project.

Police will allege the businessman was blackmailed by Mentz for $60,000 to have the caveat lifted.

Sen-Sgt Procter issued a warning to potential fraud victims, saying if it was too good too be true, it probably was.

“Fraud is a major problem, not only on the Gold Coast but everywhere. A lot of criminals are looking at white-collar crime as their retirement plan, when they’re using other people’s retirement money.

Anton Mentz when he was known as Marius Anton Ackerman.

“The victims trust people, they put their trust and their funds in their hands and we will allege people like this offender stole from them.

“Companies like this are usually dealing with people who’ve been refused finance from a bank and they might be a little bit more desperate. Maybe they’re trying to save their business, their mortgage, save what they’ve got and some of them are willing to go to a less conventional way of funding money, with the promise of ‘we can get it for you’, but really they’re just taking the fee and making no efforts at all but to take their money.

“Do your research, make sure you know who you’re going through. There are a lot of legitimate financial brokers throughout the area, but there are also a lot of these people who will pop up overnight and promise the world, but all they’ll do is cause heartbreak.”

Police believe there could be more victims and are appealing for them to come forward.

If you have any information about this incident, or any other fraud on the Gold Coast, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.