Thursday, October 14, 2010

Suspect in McGurk-linked fraud granted bail

A Sydney court has allowed a man who is accused of involvement in a lucrative mortgage fraud scheme, with links to murdered businessman Michael McGurk, to go home to Melbourne.

The magistrate at Waverley Local Court told John Andrew Hamilton he is facing serious charges and must stick to his bail conditions. 

The 57-year-old is the 12th person to be arrested by Strike Force Apia, set up three years ago to investigate a mortgage fraud scheme. 

New South Wales Police say is the biggest in the state's history. 

The scheme involved people bribing illegal immigrants into committing mortgage fraud for them.
Michael McGurk was a suspect, and after he was shot dead last year, detectives from Strike Force Apia started working closely with homicide investigators. 

Hamilton is accused of ripping off three banks an amount of $2.4 million. 

He spent the night in a Sydney holding cell having been extradited from Melbourne yesterday. 

Hamilton asked the court to suppress his address, saying he has fears for his life.

The magistrate agreed.

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