Malcolm Jeffrey Richardson: Celebrity chef charged with alleged $125k fraud in Gympie

An Instafamous Queensland executive chef has worked alongside industry giants and is now facing more than $125,000 in fraud allegations, including scamming someone trying to build a house for her mother with dementia.

Malcolm Jeffery Richardson appeared at Gympie Magistrates court on September 22, 2025 to apply for bail after being charged with five counts of fraud.

An Instafamous Queensland executive chef behind some of Australia’s biggest dining destinations is facing fraud allegations totalling more than $125,000.

Malcolm Jeffrey Richardson, 48, appeared from custody at Gympie Magistrates Court on September 22 to request bail after being arrested on Friday night.

The Southside resident, who has rubbed shoulders with top chefs and boasts almost 40,000 followers on his Instagram account The Common Chef, was charged with five counts of fraud between November 2023 and June this year.

“There’s $125,947 worth of fraud alleged against (Mr Richardson) … the defendant has shown by having multiple different victims that he has created a pattern of behaviour of defrauding people of their money,” police prosecutor Mel Campbell said.

Malcolm Richardson has rubbed shoulders with culinary royalty, including globally-renowned food critic Matt Preston.

Sergeant Campbell said Mr Richardson had plans to leave for New South Wales with a woman, and gave the court an example of his alleged fraud.

“The victim in relation to charge one was building a home for her mother, who has dementia … because the money was paid, she is not able to pay that bill now, he’s taken her money.

“It’s a situation where he’s preying on trusting people.”

Mr Richardson’s personal website said he “has transformed kitchens, elevated dining experiences, and driven business success across some of the nation’s most frequented establishments … successfully managing teams of over 200 people”.

Malcolm Richardson served prison time in 2013 after being convicted of similar offences to the ones he’s now accused of, the court heard.

Mr Richardson also ran for the seat of Maranoa in the 2022 federal election and served prison time in 2013 for similar offences to those that he’s now accused of.

Mr Richardson’s solicitor, Kim Whitfield, said the chef was “very well aware that he is someone who has upset a lot of people by his business collapsing”.

Ms Whitfield said Mr Richardson’s instructions were that “some of his work was done in anticipation of the payment of his money”.

Mr Richardson was granted bail on strict conditions by Gympie magistrate Bevan Hughes, which included having to remain in Australia, and forfeit his passport.

He was remanded to appear at Gympie Magistrates court on December 8, 2025.

Originally published as Malcolm Jeffrey Richardson: Celebrity chef charged with alleged $125k fraud in Gympie