Matthew Thomas Brown faces Gympie court on 140 fraud charges

A 31-year-old man will have to face court in person next week over allegations he ran an extensive fraud scheme to obtain almost $460,000 by impersonating people, including those who were dead.

A 31-year-old Logan man will have to face Gympie Magistrates Court in person in one week’s time over allegations he ran an extensive fraud scheme to obtain almost $460,000 by impersonating people, including those who are dead. Picture: Istock

A 31-year-old Logan man will have to face Gympie Magistrates Court in person next week over allegations he ran an extensive fraud scheme to obtain almost $460,000 by impersonating people, including those who were dead.

Matthew Thomas Brown did not appear in the court on Monday morning following a misunderstanding by his defence lawyer.

Police allege Mr Brown fraudulently obtained, and tried to obtain, hundreds of thousands of dollars by impersonating people to secure loans, and create bank accounts in their names, from a number of financial institutions.

These were allegedly carried out in 2019 and 2020.

He is also accused of fraudulently obtained about $78,000 through his actions.

A 31-year-old Logan man will have to face Gympie Magistrates Court in person in one week’s time over allegations he ran an extensive fraud scheme to obtain almost $460,000 by impersonating people, including those who are dead. Picture: Istock

He further allegedly attempted to obtain another $380,000 “causing significant financial harm to the victims”.

The man has been charged with 140 offences including fraud, attempted fraud, money laundering, and falsely representing himself as people either living, dead, real, or fictitious.

Monday’s mention was the first time the matter appeared before the court.

Magistrate Bevan Hughes said as this was the case “I’d like to see him”.

Residents up in arms at road damage caused by solar farm traffic

‘Want to save it’: Plans for $18.4bn hydro project under microscope

Defence lawyer Ryan Roche, who appeared by telephone, apologised and told the court he had thought a request for Mr Brown to be excused from appearing had been put to the court.

Mr Roche asked the court for an adjournment, saying he had only recently been brought on the case and needed to see the full QP9 documents.

Police prosecutor Mel Campbell said the size of the files meant Mr Brown’s appearance at the next court date would resolve two problems at once.

“The QP9s take nearly half a photocopy box … so it’s not going to be something I can email through,” Sgt Campbell said.

Mr Brown’s case was adjourned until Monday, March 10, 2025, when he will need to appear in person.

Originally published as Matthew Thomas Brown faces Gympie court on 140 fraud charges