Filip Poznanovic’s counterfeit shopping spree: Fake Facebook, stolen bike, luxury hotel cop chase

Swanky restaurant staff suspicious of a diner on a counterfeit cash spending spree have ended his five-week trail of deceit. Read how the law finally caught up with Filip Poznanovic.

Filip Poznanovic defrauded more than $8000 and caused $7000 in damages during a wild five-week counterfeit shopping spree.

A man’s brazen five-week fake cash shopping spree dramatically ended at drinks and dinner when high-end Gold Coast restaurant staff alerted police.

Police located Filip Poznanovic - an ex of Gold Coast reality TV vixen Jessika Power - at nearby Palazzo Versace hotel where he smashed tables and a door trying to escape.

Poznanovic’s trail of deceipt started on February 21 when he posed as “Ben Watson” and bought a $700 iPhone12 with fake $50 notes, Southport Magistrates Court heard last week.

He continued using fake names and fake money to buy electrical goods, food, jewellery and a motorbike before coming unstuck at swanky Marina Mirage venues La Luna and then Glass Dining & Lounge.

He was enjoying dinner and drinks when police were alerted to Poznanovic’s “suspicious” behaviour and counterfeit money, arriving on scene at 9pm.

Filip Poznanovic, 31, appeared at Southport Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to 34 charges including a number related to a five-week counterfeit shopping spree in which he defrauded more than $8000. Picture: Facebook

La Luna staff led police to the Palazzo Versace Hotel, pointing out 30-year-old Poznanovic.

When police told the Guanaba man he was under arrest, he ran flinging away a bum bag.

Police prosecutor Aylish Roberston told court: “Poznanovic broke away from police, knocked over a member of the public and ran into the restaurant at Palazzo Versace hotel.

“He jumped onto a table causing it to break and then into another table causing it to smash and destroyed a large glass door.”

Police stopped Poznanovic with a taser and arrested him.

Ms Robertson and court documents detail a five-week fake cash shopping spree.

• On February 21, using a Facebook account as “Ben Watson”, Poznanovic organised to meet a marketplace seller at their Kingston work to buy a $700 iPhone 12;

• a day later, using a “James Singo” account, he bought a $900 iPhone 13 Pro Max;

• a month later, as “Samuel Gords”, he bought a $1350 Gold MacBook Air;

He paid for it all using wads of fake $50.

Poznanovic attempted to pay for a meal at La Luna Dining with fake cash before heading to Glass Dining & Lounge and paying for three cocktails using the counterfeit $50s.

Ms Robertson said sellers noticed notes shared the same serial number and were clearly fake, reporting it to police who began investigating the fake Facebook profiles.

Meanwhile, on March 12, Poznanovic posing on Facebook Marketplace as “Daniel Price” met an Ipswich man advertising a black Kawasaki ZX-10R 2006.

Ms Robertson told court: “(Poznanovic claimed) to be from Loganlea and arrived in an Uber.

“He brought a black bag with cash and showed the victim, stating he was willing to buy after a ten-minute test drive.”

The victim agreed and Poznanovic left on the motorcycle leaving behind the black bag with cash, phone and a key.

“By 7:30pm when (he) didn’t return, the victim was concerned, checked the phone and saw it was not working,” Ms Robertson said.

“He checked the bag for identification and found the cash appeared to be counterfeit and therefore believed he had been tricked and the bike stolen.”

Poznanovic attended multiple service stations and businesses using fake cash to buy two scotch and cokes from Park Ridge Tavern and racking up $347.30 at Pacific Fuels Drayton on phone vouchers, coffee, cake, energy drinks, sandwiches and a baguette.

By March 25, police identified Poznanovic was behind multiple Facebook accounts, arresting and charging him.

But three days later, Poznanovic was on CCTV at the Urbans Wear store inside the Grand Plaza Shopping Centre at 5pm buying a $249.99 gold bracelet with fake cash.

When police finally caught up with him at Palazzo, his discarded bum bag contained small quantities of ecstasy, cannabis, methylamphetamine, two diazepam tablets, a glass pipe for smoking meth, ten rounds of ammunition and 109 counterfeit $50 notes.

In total, Poznanovic owes $15,742.30 in restitution including the hotel damage. Police are still looking for the stolen Kawasaki.

At Southport Magistrates Court last Friday he pleaded guilty to multiple counts of use and possession of counterfeit money and fraud; one count each of wilful damage, obstructing police and driving without a license.

He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully breaking into a car and stealing contents.

Defence lawyer Jodi Allen, of Allen & Searing criminal lawyers, said after losing his job due to a worsening drug addiction, Poznanovic began selling personal items for quick cash.

Ms Allen said he received the counterfeit money after selling his motorcycle but chose not to report it to police in favour of keeping the cash.

Magistrate Veena Goverdhan sentenced Poznanovic to 12 months jail wholly suspended for two years. He must pay back the money within 18 months.

Poznanovic caused $7000 in damages after breaking a table and destroying a large glass door inside the Palazzo Versace hotel, now known as Imperial Hotel, while running away from police. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Filip Poznanovic’s counterfeit shopping spree: Fake Facebook, stolen bike, luxury hotel cop chase