$3m payday for fraudster’s victims

The victims of presumed dead conwoman Melissa Caddick will share in a multimillion-dollar payout.

The victims of Sydney conwoman Melissa Caddick, who convinced family and friends to part with up to $30m in a Ponzi scheme, will get a share of the money raised from the sale of her assets.

Caddick, 49, went missing in November 2020, and is presumed dead after her decomposed foot washed up on a beach on the NSW Far South Coast.

The $3m “initial distribution” payment to be shared between 55 investors was announced on Thursday by accounting firm Jones Partners insolvency and restructuring.

Melissa Caddick (right) and husband Anthony Koletti. Ms Caddick hasn’t been seen since November 2020, and is presumed dead.

“This distribution has resulted from receivership property we have realised, in particular the share portfolios and the Dover Heights property that Melissa Caddick resided in,” Bruce Gleeson, Principal at Jones Partners, said.

“In many Ponzi schemes, it is not unusual for investors to receive no return, so we are pleased to be able to make this distribution and anticipate further significant distributions in the future.”

A NSW coronial inquiry in May determined Ms Caddick was most likely dead, and that she had defrauded investors of between $20m-$30m.

Bournda Beach on the NSW Far South Coast, where a right foot belonging to Ms Caddick washed up in February 2021. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

“We have also recently taken possession of the Edgecliff penthouse and are presently preparing it for sale,” Mr Gleeson said.

“The Edgecliff penthouse in the Eastpoint Tower, Edgecliff is in a prime location and the sale of it will importantly enable us to make further significant distributions to nestors.”

Mr Gleeson said an agent had been appointed to list the property at the beginning of September.