Harry Omeros, Vicky Omeros among four charged over alleged ‘boiler room’ investment fraud operating on Gold Coast

Two members of the Omeros seafood clan are among four people charged in relation to an alleged crypto currency investment fraud.

Three Gold Coasters and a North Brisbane have been charged over an alleged ‘boiler room’ investment fraud operating on the Gold Coast.

Police have charged two members of the Gold Coast’s Omeros family in relation to an alleged crypto currency investment fraud.

Officers will allege at least $1.5 million was defrauded from up to 30 people in the scheme, which operated from the Gold Coast.

In July 2022, Operation Uniform Tapenade was formed with a focus on alleged fraudulent activity involving companies including ‘Crypto Advisers Australia’, ‘Strategic Capital’, ‘Active Marketing Solutions’ and ‘Alternative Capital’.

Police will allege the company defrauded over $1.5 million from approximately 30 people between 2018 and 2021 utilising a Ponzi scheme method and identity take-overs.

It is further alleged that the offenders moved illicit funds through crypto currency, precious metals, luxury motor vehicles and real estate to conceal the source of the illicit funds.

Harry Omeros.

On Monday 63-year-old Vicky Omeros and 37-year-old Harry Omeros both had their matters mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court. The pair are members of the family that founded the Omeros Bros Seafood Restaurant. There is no suggestion other family members are connected to the pair’s case.

Mr Omeros, who resides in Paradise Point, was charged with one count of money laundering knowingly between June 17 2018 to October 13 2022.

He was arrested at a Chermside address on March 11.

His co-accused Ms Omeros was charged with one count of money laundering recklessly between June 17 2018 and October 13 2022. She was arrested at a Paradise Point address on March 11.

A 37-year-old Gold Coast woman Kristy Sleep, was also charged with one count of money laundering.

Their cases have been adjourned to May 9.

A 46-year-old north Brisbane man, Peter Lucas, has been charged with four counts of fraud and one count of money laundering – knowingly. He first appeared at Brisbane Magistrates Court on March 25 and is expected to next appear on May 27.

QPS Financial and Cyber Crime Group Commander, Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath

QPS Financial and Cyber Crime Group Commander, Detective Superintendent Craig McGrath, said the charges came as a result of a years-long investigation that at one point involved up to 30 officers.

Det Supt McGrath said the investigation had involved the execution of a number of search warrants at Gold Coast addresses in 2019 and 2020 and the seizure of documentation and computer hardware.

Warning that alleged investment scams continue to be reported to police in Queensland, he urged people to do “due diligence” and seek independent financial advice before handing over money.

“One of the things that people need to realise is, the chances of getting your money back (from schemes ultimately proven to be fraudulent) is negligible,” he said.

“ ... We’ve seen an increase just in recent times within the Cyber Crime group, where we’re unfortunately getting a number of self-managed retirees taking their hard earned money and putting it into investments looking to earn more money.

“ ... The impact on people’s lives (when money is lost) is significant. We continue to see people who lose money, they lose businesses, lose houses potentially because of mortgages and loans they can’t repay, but also there’s that emotional impact on their families, and marital separations and all that, which can cause a significant amount of stress.

“So the message is take your time, do your due diligence and seek independent financial advice.”

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Originally published as Harry Omeros, Vicky Omeros among four charged over alleged ‘boiler room’ investment fraud operating on Gold Coast