Playboy gold dealer jailed in Melbourne rebrands himself as philanthropist
He was the playboy gold dealer who used the hashtag “PoorGuysSuck” to flaunt his luxurious lifestyle. But after a stint in jail he’s depicting himself as a tireless charity worker.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A playboy gold dealer jailed for buying jewellery stolen in Melbourne robberies has reinvented himself as a big-hearted philanthropist.
Jetsetting Alejandro “Alex” Mendieta Blanco was in 2020 sent to prison after pleading guilty to purchasing stolen goods worth $29,000 at his CBD company, Gold Buyers Melbourne.
But organised crime investigators believed there was much more offending and the Colombian was originally charged with 450 offences relating to his company, Gold Buyers Australia. Blanco was not convicted in relation to these charges.
GBA had come under investigation by detectives tracing where the proceeds of a wave of armed robberies on jewellery stores and homes in 2017 were ending up.
The jewellery – much of it of enormous sentimental value – was melted down and sold again.
Blanco – who was eventually jailed for four years – moved to Australia at age 16 where he became a self-made millionaire.
The wealth of the Lamborghini-driving Blanco was such that he hired entertainer Delta Goodrem to perform at his 30th birthday at St Kilda’s swank Red Scooter venue.
He flew first-class on luxury holidays, owned luxury boats and used the hashtag “PoorGuysSuck” while flaunting his overseas sojourns.
But Blanco – who now lives abroad – appears to have had a change of heart regarding the less fortunate, depicting himself as a tireless charity worker.
Understood to be based in Spain, the convicted gold thief has ditched his surname, now branding himself as Alex Mendieta.
He describes himself as a “lifelong entrepreneur who is passionate about using his fortune to help people all over the world” on his philanthropic website.
Donations from Blanco have reportedly been made to various reputable charities, though not all these organisations are disclosed.
One image on his site depicts recipients of new bicycles smiling while standing behind a sign that reads “Thank you Mr Alex of GoldBuyers Melbourne” – the same company that used the robbery proceeds to resell gold.
“As a self-made businessman who built his fortune from the ground up, Alex Mendieta intimately understands that not everyone can be so fortunate,” the site reads.
“Therefore, Alex has always been committed to helping marginalised, and disadvantaged communities tackle immediate problems and create a lasting positive impact through his philanthropy.”
He reportedly donated all proceeds from public speaking engagements between 2013 and 2016 to Clown Doctors, an Australian charity that delivers performances to children in hospitals.
Under the “Give a child a bike” initiative, Blanco has donated bicycles to underprivileged children in Vietnam.
It remains unclear how much money Blanco has donated to other charities.
Underworld’s most-hunted man Sam ‘The Punisher’ Abdulrahim shot dead
Gangland figure Sam “The Punisher” Abdulrahim has been shot dead in a car park in Preston, after years of being pursued by his enemies and multiple attempts on his life.
Accused rapist lived across the road from elderly victim
A Hoppers Crossing father who allegedly raped an elderly woman twice in her own home more than 40 years ago had lived across the road from her, a court has heard.