Fraudster Christopher Stevens caged for rorting $475,000 via dodgy Seaford property deal
A shonky developer and former Nando’s franchisee fled overseas after he rorted almost half-a-million dollars via a bogus Seaford property deal but after four years on the run his goose is cooked.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A shonky developer stole $475,000 via a crooked southeast property deal then fled overseas.
Christopher Stevens, 65, was sentenced in the County Court on Monday to 18 months’ jail after pleading guilty to two charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
Stevens rinsed his victims after plans to convert vacant land in Seaford into 20 units went belly up.
The former high-flying businessman — who owned multiple Nando’s franchises — bought the Nepean Hwy block for $3.8 million in 2008.
Stevens established Marina Seaview Pty Ltd then engaged Hocking Stuart to sell units off the plan.
In 2012, Stevens convinced a project manager on the development to hand over $260,000 for a unit.
Stevens ran into trouble paying contractors so he borrowed a further $25,000 from his victim.
The victim’s mother and father then paid Stevens $260,000 for a second unit.
Stevens via Hocking Stuart — who were not informed the units had been sold — inked contracts for the units to be sold to two other parties.
By February 2013, the ANZ bank had placed Stevens’ company into receivership.
Solicitors for the receivers contacted both victims to inform them that their contracts were “invalid and unenforceable”.
The first victim was down $215,000 plus legal fees while his parents were out of pocket $260,000.
Stevens’ company was deregistered in 2014.
Police launched an investigation in October 2015 but Stevens was long gone.
The swindler had fled the country and was living it up in Dubai, Thailand, Canada, Sri Lanka and India during a four-year escapade.
Stevens was charged by police after returning to Australia in 2017 for his son’s wedding.
The court was told Stevens “blamed everyone” including the builder, the ANZ bank and even his victims for his crimes.
Stevens also claimed Hocking Stuart had “double-dipped” by selling the units to other buyers but Judge Michael Tinney lambasted the fraudster’s excuses.
“There is, in my assessment, no remorse … there’s plenty of self pity,” Judge Tinney said.
Judge Tinney said Stevens caused his victims to suffer.
“As investments go, they don’t come much worse than that,” Judge Tinney said
“It was no doubt a huge blow both financially and emotionally.
“It was the whole wretched experience brought about by your conduct”.
The court was told Stevens had been a high-flying businessman of “high intelligence”.
Stevens, from Lynbrook, worked in shipping in Dubai and had owned a successful fishing and tourism business.
He sold out of the business at a substantial profit then became a franchisee of two Nando’s stores.
The stores were handed back to Nando’s after Stevens experienced issues operating his businesses.
Stevens is now bankrupt, lives with his son and was doing customer service for Metro trains prior to sentencing.
Stevens was jailed for 34 months but 16 months was wholly suspended for three years.
He ordered to repay his victims in full.
MORE NEWS
SONG OVER FOR SEX FIEND MUSO WHO HOARDED CHILD PORN
RESTAURANT MANAGER EXPOSED AS CHILD PORN SEX FIEND