Tanya Pluckhahn sentenced in Sunshine Coast court for two-year fraud scheme

Supporters cried as a mother who deceived her friends and neighbours by telling lies of cancer, kidnapping and investments walked free four years after her crimes.

Aaron John Parsons and Tanya Pluckhahn have pleaded guilty to fraud. Pictures: Contributed/Jorina Maureschat

Supporters shed tears as a mother, who defrauded her friends and neighbours of thousands of dollars, was told she would walk free from a Sunshine Coast courthouse.

Tanya Pluckhahn received her sentence in Maroochydore District Court on April 24 for various fraud charges which she pleaded guilty to in 2024.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gary Long told the court Pluckhahn, alongside her husband Aaron John Parsons, defrauded six victims of a total of $69,195 in total over a period of two years.

Parsons has already been sentenced for his fraud of $396,335 over three years.

Judge Long said the offending happened in the context of Parson’s business going bankrupt, with legitimate loans of $397,000 looming over their heads.

He noted Pluckhahn was involved in defrauding some victims by convincing them to invest money into the music career of Sunshine Coast musician Alys Ffion, who was not aware of the offending and has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

In the ruse, Pluckhahn went as far as to impersonate solicitors by calling the victims on different phone numbers, the court heard.

Another couple, who were expecting twins, were also told by Pluckhahn she and her mother were dying of cancer, her father had a heart attack and her children were ill.

Judge Long said she also told victims Parsons had run away and died by suicide and his ex-partner froze his back accounts.

Tanya Pluckhahn leaving Maroochydore Courthouse on February 21, 2025.

Pluckhahn, without Parsons, also defrauded a family member by stating Parsons had been kidnapped and she needed money to pay the ransom.

Judge Long also took note of references speaking of her good character and a psychologist report which suggested Pluckhahn was at low risk of reoffending.

He told the court Pluckhahn had stable employment since her last offence and currently assists in running several Sunshine Coast hotels, which also offer emergency accommodation.

Pluckhahn also plays a large role in supporting her daughter who suffers from a serious condition, the court heard.

Judge Long labelled her offending as “deceptive” and “abuse of a position of trust” by preying on “vulnerabilities”.

Pluckhahn held her hands together as the judge began to announce her sentence.

She was given 21 months’ imprisonment wholly suspended for two years.

A supporter enthusiastically clapped when it was revealed she would not spend any actual time in jail, and others wept tears of relief.

Pluckhahn had admitted guilt to one of fraud — dishonestly cause detriment and fraud — dishonestly cause detriment value of or over $30,000 in 2024.

Originally published as Tanya Pluckhahn sentenced in Sunshine Coast court for two-year fraud scheme