Aaron John Parsons and Tanya Pluckhahn to be sentenced over fraud

A pair defrauded their loved ones using excuses from cancer treatments and a kidnapping ransom to a promise of investment return over a country music star’s career.

Tanya Pluckhahn leaving Maroochydore Courthouse on February 21, 2025.

A Sunshine Coast pair has faced the music after defrauding friends and family of several hundred thousand dollars in a scam dating back almost a decade ago.

Aaron John Parsons, 50, and Tanya Pluckhahn, 47, appeared side-by-side in the dock of Maroochydore District Court on February 21 for sentencing.

Parsons previously pleaded guilty to one count of fraud — dishonestly cause detriment value of at least $100,000 and one of fraud — dishonestly cause detriment value of or over $30,000, while Pluckhahn had admitted guilt to one of fraud — dishonestly cause detriment and fraud — dishonestly cause detriment value of or over $30,000 in 2024, about four years since the matters first came before court.

Crown prosecutor Rebecca Marks told the court Pluckhahn defrauded people of $69,195 in total over a period of two years and Parsons defrauded people of $396,335 in total over three years.

The court heard the offending began in October 2015 after the pair each came under financial stress after a business was declared bankrupt and a legitimate loan of $397,000 loomed over their heads.

Tanya Pluckhahn leaving Maroochydore Courthouse on February 21, 2025.

The circumstances of their relationship were not specified in court.

Ms Marks said they each had asked for loans from friends, neighbours, co-workers and, in Pluckhahn’s case, family.

She told the court of several different lies and excuses told by their pair, most notably where they had received investments under the guise of being involved in the career of country music singer Alys Ffion with promises of generous interest and their capital in return.

Ms Ffion was not aware of the offending, the court heard, and was not charged with any wrongdoing.

Ms Marks said Pluckhahn’s lies included saying she had cancer, her mother had cancer, her father had a heart attack, she or her children were sick or her partner had frozen her bank accounts.

She also told a family member Parsons had been kidnapped and asked for a loan in order to pay the ransom for his return, Ms Marks said.

Country music singer Alys Ffion was unknowingly used as part of a massive scam.

Parsons also told his victims he needed money for cancer treatment or his investments had been frozen, and they each had impersonated lawyers at some stage.

One couple, who was defrauded of $117,917 in total, had even borrowed money from friends and family, took out loans and sold personal items to aid Parsons, the court heard.

Ms Marks said the offending, which she described as a “betrayal of trust”, had “profounding and devastating effects” on the victims including financial loss and strain, with one victim having to delay retirement.

She noted it was not clear what the pair had spent the fraudulent money on as their legitimate loan of $397,000 had not been paid until recently and they did not appear to lead a lavish lifestyle.

Tanya Pluckhahn leaving Maroochydore Courthouse on February 21, 2025.

The victims were also recently compensated in full by Parsons and Pluckhahn.

Defence barrister for Parsons Matthew Hynes said his client had his bag packed with the expectancy to spend actual time in prison.

He said the offending came as a result of “desperate circumstances” after the loss of his business with debt and mortgage to pay and family to support.

Mr Hynes told the court Parsons had returned to the man he was prior to 2015, and had returned to the workforce, now owing his father the amount which he repaid the victims with.

Defence barrister for Pluckhahn Damien Gates told the court his client has a daughter with disease to take care of, with her father not in a capable condition to do so.

He said Pluckhahn works seven days a week managing motels which assist those with housing issues, and described her as a “contributing member of society”.

Mr Gates brought forth the subject of a psychological report regarding Pluckhahn, which became a topic of discussion until Judge Gary Long declared he would not deliver a sentence that afternoon.

Each of their matters were instead adjourned to a date yet to be set, with Parsons remanded in custody and Pluckhahn receiving bail.

Originally published as Aaron John Parsons and Tanya Pluckhahn to be sentenced over fraud