Ru Paul’s Drag Race contestant hopeful, security guard lured into bizarre ‘money mule’ scheme

A drag queen security guard and hopeful for a popular reality television show has faced court after becoming embroiled in a $38,000 money laundering operation.

A drag performer turned security guard has admitted to being “naive and stupid” by becoming a “money mule” for an overseas scammer he was in an online relationship with.

The Southport District Court was told Keenan Edson, 45, set up a company and business accounts at the direction of his online companion, making nine transfers totalling $38,384.

Edson - who plans to enter reality television competition, RuPaul’s Drag Race - walked free after pleading guilty to one charge of money laundering.

The money laundering saga started in 2018 when the Pacific Pines man began an online relationship with a person who resided overseas and represented themselves online to be an American soldier called Collins.

He communicated with Collins via text messages and phone calls but had never met him in person or via video.

In 2019, under the direction of Collins, Edson registered a building company in Australia and became its sole director, the court was told.

The company existed on paper, but did not carry out any business.

At the instruction of Collins, the Pacific Pines man opened various bank accounts under the business name, two of which were later shut down by the banks after being flagged for scam activity.

Edson’s offending related to “tainted” money totalling $38,384 and deposited into one of the business bank accounts on April 1 last year, the court was told.

Between April 1 and April 15 last year, Edson transferred this money out of the account through nine separate transfers.

The tainted funds came to the attention of police, who raided the 45-year-old’s home in July 2021.

Judge Jodie Wooldridge said Edson did not receive any payment for the money laundering.

“You explained (to police) the nature of your relationship with Collins and that you had been naive and stupid to follow their instructions,” she said.

“The maximum penalty for the offence of money laundering, when engaged in recklessly as you did, is 10 years’ imprisonment.

“I can see on your face that brings home to you the serious nature of the offending.”

Edson’s defence barrister James McNab said his client’s upbringing was marred by domestic violence and abuse, but despite this, he had forged a career as a drag performer.

“Throughout most of his adult life he has been a drag performer in Sydney,” he said.

“When his mother became quite ill in 2014 - he was about 37 - he had to cease performing in that industry because he became the full-time carer for his mother, who had very complicated diabetes.”

Southport Courthouse. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr McNab said Edson became a security worker after his mother died, but wanted to return to performing

“He is wanting to travel overseas next year to New Zealand to enter a television show called RuPaul’s Drag Race,” he said.

Judge Wooldridge took into account Edson’s guilty plea, lack of criminal history and the serious nature of the offending when she sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for 18 months.

A conviction was recorded.

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Originally published as Ru Paul’s Drag Race contestant hopeful, security guard lured into bizarre ‘money mule’ scheme