Parkdale mum Finulla MacSporran bailed on identity theft charges
A Parkdale mum stole her victim’s ID and made dodgy bank documents to apply for rental properties as part of a “sophisticated” scheme. And she sobbed as a magistrate gave her a grim warning.
South East
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A former engineering firm executive assistant has fronted court over a slew of deception charges, including identity theft, after fake drivers’ licenses and stolen mail were found inside the Parkdale fraudster’s home.
Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court heard Finulla MacSporran, 36, added her photo to a driver’s license reported stolen from an Elwood address and made fake bank statements and pay slips in the victim’s name to secure a three-bedroom unit in Parkdale for $1825 a month back in March.
When she fell more than $5400 behind in rent, she was hauled before an eviction hearing at VCAT and continue to lie about her identity, pretending to be the victim.
The mum of two then made false payment receipts, claiming she had made good on the outstanding rent.
When police searched the unit on September 14 they found credit cards, licences, mail and bank documents in various names.
A quick glance at MacSporran’s phone revealed “sophisticated spreadsheets” containing names, addresses and personal details of victims, as well as account details and bank letters in various victims’ names.
But she refused to provide the PIN for the phone and police have been unable to continue their investigation into how MacSporran got hold of those details.
Several capsules containing amphetamines were also found at the property.
MacSporran refused to answer questions during a police interview before eventually claiming she didn’t know where the documents found at her home had come from.
She also claimed the capsules had been herbal supplements.
MacSporran was remanded and has spent four days in custody.
She has pleaded guilty to several dishonesty offences, as well as a hindering police.
Her defence lawyer, Nikhil Sood, said his client’s lies “stemmed from desperation”.
“She was homeless and....if she didn’t have a home she would not be able to see her children,” he said.
He said MacSporran’s time in custody had been “extremely stressful and an emotionally taxing time for her”.
Mr Sood said MacSporran turned to drugs about seven years ago to cope with the PTSD following the breakdown of her marriage.
She has several prior convictions for drug offences and was on bail at the time of these offences.
Mr Sood argued that with “extreme conditions” his client should be given a deferred sentence.
But Magistrate Stephen Lee said “prison is well within range” for the nature of offending.
“It was very sophisticated, protracted and well-thought out,” he said.
“Further, she lied at VCAT to someone in an official capacity.
“And the consequences of hampering a police investigation mean there could be a series of unsolved crimes solved if police could have interrogated the phone.”
MacSporran sobbed loudly when Mr Lee said he was “actively considering” jailing her.
“You are clearly at risk of imprisonment,” he said.
MacSporran was bailed under strict conditions and her sentence was deferred.
She will return to court on a number of outstanding matters later this year.
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