Accused fraudster charged over scam where homebuyer was allegedly fleeced out of $1MILLION during a property settlement blows up outside court
- Annelise Sunderland, 29, allegedly fleeced more than $1million from a woman
- Canberra woman unknowingly deposited the money during property settlement
- Pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, before unleashing on reporters outside court
A woman who stands accused of swindling more than $1million from a homebuyer during a property settlement has had a sensational blow up at reporters outside court.
Annelise Sunderland, 29, was arrested last month and charged with two counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police allege a wannabe homebuyer in the ACT unknowingly deposited more than $1million into a fraudulent NAB bank account during a property settlement in June.
It is alleged a woman in the ACT unknowingly sent the money to the fake account – the details of which were taken from a compromised email address belonging to the her lawyer, and contained altered bank details.
Ms Sunderland was supported by a friend and dressed in a black power suit, slides and a baby blue handbag as she pleaded not guilty in Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday morning.
Pictured: Annelise Sunderland (left), 29, leaving Parramatta Local Court on Tuesday with a friend (right)
Ms Sunderland tried to avoid photographer by shielding her face with court papers and an iced drink
She also asked to have her bail conditions changed so that she would only have to report to police once a week, instead of three times per week.
When approached by reporters outside the court, Ms Sunderland used a series of colourful phrases while telling them to leave her alone.
‘Why don’t you all just f*** off,’ she said, shielding her face with court documents and what appeared to be an iced latte.
When a reporter asked where she allegedly stashed the million dollars, the woman made a vile comment about the journalist’s mother.
Ms Sunderland wore a black power suit with a baby blue handbag. She will appear in court again on February 8
During the search of her Parramatta unit, police seized numerous mobile phones and documents for forensic analysis.
Ms Sunderland was charged on November 24 and granted bail.
Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft, reminded people to remain vigilant when conducting transactions online.
‘Get in the habit of checking the email address, URL, and spelling used in all correspondence and heavily scrutinise all transactions that you make online,’ he said outside court.
‘BEC scams aren’t easy to detect because the invoices for clients and contractors often use the desired recipients branding but contain altered banking details.
‘To avoid being scammed, people should use two-step verification methods where appropriate, and regularly update and maintain strong passwords.’
Ms Sunderland will face the court again on February 8.