Man, 81, accused of stealing nearly $1m intended for SMSF investments
An 81-year-old man has been accused of stealing nearly $1 million intended for investment into SMSFs.
Robert Wayne Collins appeared in Berri Magistrates Court on Wednesday, via video link from Berri Police Station, and did not apply for bail.
Detectives from South Australia’s Serious and Organised Financial Crime Investigation Section conducted an investigation and subsequently arrested the 81-year-old Hackham man.
He was charged on Wednesday with 10 counts of aggravated theft and one count of aggravated dishonest dealing with documents.
Police will allege that between August 2015 and March 2022, the man was acting in a position of trust when he was paid by several victims over $913,000.
These paid funds were to be managed via SMSF and international investment opportunities, along with obtaining a loan for one of the victims. Police identified that the victim’s funds were used by the man for his personal use.
Mr Collins will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court in September next year.
