Kiara Natasha Parekh in Melbourne court over shop scam

A wannabe accountant and former private schoolgirl caught in an “extraordinarily large” shop scam acted with “arrogance” when interviewed by police.

Kiara Natasha Parekh faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday April 2, 2025, seeking diversion over a count of obtaining benefit by deception after 56 charges were rolled into one.

A wannabe accountant and former private schoolgirl caught in an “extraordinarily large” shop scam acted with “arrogance” when interviewed by police.

Kiara Natasha Parekh, of Kew, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, seeking diversion over a count of obtaining benefit by deception after 56 charges were rolled into one.

Defence lawyer Kristina Kothrakis told the court Parekh — whose LinkedIn lists her as a former Seed Heritage retail assistant — had since repaid the thousands she had scammed through a nine-month scheme of returning items illegally.

“She’s just started her professional career last month,” Ms Kothrakis said, adding the 23-year-old wanted to begin a chartered accountant’s course having last month become an associate at multinational professional services network EY (formerly Ernst and Young).

Judicial registrar Angela Rankin questioned whether Parekh had paid it back on her own or with assistance given the MLC graduate came from a place of privilege but ultimately accepted the money had been returned.

Supported in court by her parents, Ms Rankin said it was an “absolutely stupid young act”.

“Your parents are no doubt equally dumbfounded,” Ms Rankin said, to which they nodded their agreement.

“(I don’t know) what possessed you to do what you did.”

After some discussion between Ms Rankin and Ms Kothrakis, Parekh was ordered to complete 300 hours — about 25 days — of volunteering at the Sacred Heart Mission within the next six months.

“It’s to her credit that she’s repaid the money but she also needs to actually give back to the community,” Ms Rankin said.

Ms Rankin said Parekh was “extremely fortunate” she was supported by Victoria Police in her request for diversion after her “extraordinarily large breach of trust” that ran over nine months from April to December.

Speaking directly to Parekh, who appeared in court in black with her long hair down and curled, Ms Rankin issued a warning that her order of good behaviour be complied with.

She noted Parekh had been “arrogant” in her police interview but had since written a letter of apology to the officer.

“This is very serious and not just a way of avoiding a criminal record,” she said.

“You do not want to find yourself here again.”