Man denied bail, accused of six-figure fraud of Gold Coast Indian community

One victim of an alleged six-figure scam has been stung $600,000 it’s been claimed in court, as the accused is refused bail. FULL STORY.

A northern Gold Coaster is accused of scamming some of the city’s Indian community out of six figures - including one stung for $600,000-plus.

Ankit Jayesh Mashru has been charged with fraud of $100,000 plus after surrendering himself to the Coomera police station earlier this month.

Ankit Mashru pictured alongside his wife and child. Picture: Supplied

The charge alleges Mr Mashru swindled one person out of $659,450 between January 1 and September 30 - with police alleging he obtained multiple loans from multiple people claiming it was for an importation business.

Mr Mashru applied for bail in Southport Magistrates Court on October 12, the day after he was arrested and remanded in custody.

His application was refused, with notations on his court file referencing the seriousness of the allegations against him, his background and personal circumstances - including that he was unemployed - and the strength of the evidence against him.

Reasons for the refusal were listed as Mr Mashru posing an unacceptable risk of failing to appear and surrendering into custody as required.

Queensland Police confirmed in a statement that Mr Mashru had been charged, alleging that his business was not operating at the time he received the “loans”.

“Police have charged a 34-year-old Pimpama man as part of ongoing investigations into an allegedly fraudulent business scheme,” the statement read.

“It will be alleged the man obtained loans from multiple victims between November, 2021 and September, 2024 for the purpose of an importation business which he was not operating.”

Mr Mashru was arrested after surrendering at the Coomera police station, he was remanded in custody and is now at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre.

The police investigation is ongoing.

Mr Mashru’s case was briefly mentioned in Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Magistrate Kerry Magee ordered a brief of evidence be disclosed to his defence team within the next several weeks, with his case to return to court on December 19.

Mr Mashru remains remanded in custody.

His lawyer has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Man denied bail, accused of six-figure fraud of Gold Coast Indian community