Car salesman David Craigen among Toowoomba’s biggest fraud cases of 2021

From a car salesman ripping off his boss of $150,000 to a woman who ended up money laundering, here are some of Toowoomba’s most notorious fraud cases this year.

Toowoomba courts have a regular smattering of fraud cases and 2021 was no exception with some cases involving cash amounts of more than $100,000.

Toowoomba car salesman David James Craigen jailed for defrauding employer

David James Craigen blamed an expensive divorce and gambling problems for his offending which arose from his employment with the Armstrong Auto Group.

Crown prosecutor Ellen Fletcher told Toowoomba District Court Craigen had over a 10 month period from November 2018 sold 15 vehicles to a third party, the money for which he had pocketed either in cash, bank transfer or cheque.

The matter came to light when a fellow employee found a car which had been in the Armstrong Auto Group lot at a relative’s home and asked where it had been bought.

Toowoomba woman sucked into money laundering scam by Malaysian boyfriend

A 62-year-old woman who was a victim then became complicit in a money-laundering scheme has faced court.

Florence Christine Taylor pleaded guilty in the Toowoomba District Court to engaging in money laundering between August and November 2019.

The court was told Taylor had a Malaysian boyfriend she met online, and he had deposited $11,080 into her account over the four month period.

Crown prosecutor Shontelle Petrie told the court the money was laundered through being withdrawn from Malaysian ATMs, or through withdrawals or transfers made by Taylor.

55-year-old woman jailed for ripping of Toowoomba employer of more than $100,000

A Toowoomba woman’s fall from grace as a long-time volunteer in the community to a prisoner who stole more than $100,000 from a local business has been heard in court.

Catherine Mary James appeared in Toowoomba District Court on Monday where she was sentenced to a term of imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to fraud.

The court heard James was employed in April 2011 by Toowoomba business Aspect Design Studio as an office manager, where her duties included paying accounts, depositing cheques, making payments on credit accounts.

She was provided with access to the business bank account.

She couldn’t do probation so fraudster left with fine and compensation bill to pay

While the magistrate said a probation order would have been preferable, a move to Quilpie with her new baby has left a Toowoomba woman with a sizeable monetary penalty instead.

Stephanie Amber Kay McKellar appeared before Toowoomba Murri Court on Friday, a week after giving birth to a baby daughter.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to 28 offences, 23 of which were frauds arising from using a stolen bankcard, racking up a bill of $1457.