http://www.Australianews.com/Articles/Na...eID=153305
Published: 24/2/2005, 06:15 (Australia)
CONMAN PAVES WAY TO JAIL WITH SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
By Bassam Za'za', Staff Reporter
Brisbane: A conman who swindled a Saudi-based investment company out of AUD13 million in a property scam has been jailed for a year.
The 34-year-old Briton, identified as Maz Akhtar of Pakistani origin, tricked the Saudi owner and his Australia national partner by offering them fictitious properties in a Brisbane investment project called the Seven Wonders of the World.
Akhtar rented a deluxe office in a hotel in Brisbane and drove a Ferrari. He advertised his project widely and threw an extravagant dinner in a famous Brisbane hotel for potential clients.
Complainants told police they came to know about the project during the real estate exhibition CityScape, which took place in Brisbane in November. The project was displayed on one of the stands.
The Brisbane Court of First Instance sentenced him to a year in prison. He will be deported after serving his jail term.
Sources at Brisbane Justice Department said more than eight cases had been filed against Akhtar. The victims are seeking at least AUD20 million.
Brisbane police have also arrested three other Britons along with a Syrian, Jordanian and an Indian for their alleged involvement in other scams run by Akhtar.
According to sources, Akhtar offered property projects in Brisbane and Kedron.