Indian Student in Sydney Sentenced to Two Years for Elaborate Fake Lawyer Scam
A 28-year-old Indian national, who was residing in Sydney on a student visa while working as an Uber driver, has been sentenced to two years in prison for orchestrating a sophisticated fake lawyer scam that defrauded a property buyer of more than A$209,000. The case, which unfolded in Liverpool Local Court, highlights the growing threat of email impersonation fraud in Australia's property market.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to court details reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the fraud began in October 2024 when the accused, identified as Pardeep, intercepted information about a client who had hired a legitimate Sydney law firm for a home purchase. In a meticulously planned operation, Pardeep registered a domain name almost identical to the firm's website and created an email address that mimicked the principal solicitor's, complete with a matching signature.
He further established a company with a deceptively similar name, appointed himself as the sole director, and opened a business bank account with Westpac. Over several weeks of email correspondence, Pardeep convinced the victim to transfer A$209,000, including stamp duty payments, directly to his account on November 13, 2024.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Pardeep, who was studying information technology in Australia, appeared in Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to charges of dishonestly obtaining property by deception and dealing with proceeds of crime. He received the maximum two-year sentence, with a non-parole period of 14 months backdated to his arrest, potentially allowing for release as early as June this year.
Authorities have indicated that he faces likely deportation upon completion of his sentence. In mitigation, Pardeep's lawyer, Ikbal Khan, argued for a non-custodial sentence, suggesting his client had been influenced by another individual and had merely "turned a blind eye" to the incoming money. However, prosecutors rejected this claim, stating that police investigations cleared the alleged mastermind of any involvement.
Evidence and Impact on the Victim
Evidence presented in court revealed that Pardeep spent part of the proceeds on gold bullion, capturing photographs of himself with the purchases and images of bank statements. CCTV footage confirmed the transactions. When initially interviewed by police, he falsely described the company as a legitimate transport business with no actual clients.
The deception was discovered about a week later when the buyer contacted the real law firm. The victim has recovered just A$900 of the funds and has suffered severe financial hardship and emotional distress as a result. Magistrate Andrew Miller described the offence as deliberate and calculated, stating, "He knew exactly what he was doing and failed to take responsibility."
Restitution and Broader Implications
Magistrate Miller also imposed a restitution order for A$100,000, the maximum allowable in the Local Court, emphasising the seriousness of the deception. The case underscores growing concerns over sophisticated email impersonation scams targeting property settlements in Australia, where large sums change hands during conveyancing.
Authorities continue to warn buyers and sellers to verify payment instructions directly with known contacts rather than relying solely on email communications. Most of the stolen funds remain unrecovered, highlighting the challenges in combating such cybercrimes.
