Jason James Nicholls accused of defrauding Apex Car Rentals / Avis out of $139k+ in four years
A Lutana man accused of taking more than $139k in four years while working at a car rental company allegedly sent himself thousands across his multiple bank accounts – sometimes in the same day. LATEST >
Tasmania
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A Lutana man accused of defrauding more than $139k in four years while working at a car rental company allegedly sent himself thousands across his multiple bank accounts – sometimes in the same day.
Jason James Nicholls, 40, who is facing 246 counts of use a computer with the intent to defraud, recently appeared in Hobart Magistrates Court.
Court documents allege that from 2018 to late 2022, Nicholls took $139,159.08 while working for Apex – owned by the Avis truck and car rental hire company – out of Cambridge.
The charge particulars allege that Nicholls “introduced false information into the business accounting software” and altered credit on a reservation as a false payment, before transferring funds into Citibank, ANZ, NAB or ING bank accounts in his name.
His first transaction was allegedly made on November 9, 2018 to the value of $110, and his last transactions of $108 and $101.36 were made on December 31, 2022.
The documents show alleged amounts from as little as $42, to as much as $4780.02 was taken at any one time.
Some transactions were made to multiple bank accounts on the same day – including but not limited to dates including April 8, 2021, in which he allegedly sent $508.90 to his ANZ account and $499.24 to an NAB account.
On April 1, 2022 he allegedly sent $500 to his ING account and $2250 to his NAB account.
The documents show Nicholls allegedly transferred money multiple times a month, and in December 2018 is alleged to have done so 17 times.
The documents allege Nicholls would sometimes send larger amounts within a short time period.
On May 4, 2021 he allegedly transferred $2750 into his ANZ account, and less than a week later he again sent $2750 to his NAB account.
According to Nicholls’ social media, he previously held positions at Avis Car Rental and Apex Car Rentals, but states he now works at Telstra.
In court, Nicholls’ lawyer, Dinesh Loganathan, asked the matter be adjourned without plea.
He said they were yet to receive any disclosure from police.
Magistrate Michael Daly bailed Nicholls to appear back in court in mid-August, and said he hoped that Nicholls and Mr Loganathan would have the “appropriate documentation” by then.
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