A WELL-KNOWN Armidale conveyancer has been refused bail accused of operating a $2 million investment scam that deceived 20 people.
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Sandra Henri Edmonds was arrested on Monday by Armidale detectives following a long-running investigation into allegations she deceived “numerous victims” of $2.1 million.
Strike Force Amaranthus – an operation by Armidale detectives – alleges the 57-year-old pocketed in excess of $2.1 million from 20 different people between 2014 and 2018, some of whom are in Armidale.
Detectives allege Edmonds falsely represented an investment opportunity to victims and deceived them into handing over sums of cash before using the money for personal use.
Detectives allege this was a sophisticated investment scam that deceived multiple victims with significant amounts of money lost by individuals, and their lives have been irrevocably affected by this.
- New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty
On Monday afternoon, Edmonds was in the dock of Armidale Local Court facing 22 charges of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception.
She was not required to enter pleas but lodged an application for bail which was swiftly denied by Magistrate Michael Holmes.
In his bail determination, Mr Holmes said Edmonds was an unacceptable risk of failing to appear, committing a further serious offence and interfering with witnesses.
He refused bail and ordered Edmonds into custody until mid-September. She is expected to be transferred to a women’s correctional facility on Tuesday.
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New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty told The Leader the charges had been the culmination of a long-running investigation.
“Detectives allege this was a sophisticated investment scam that deceived multiple victims with significant amounts of money lost by individuals, and their lives have been irrevocably affected by this,” he said.
These types of fraud investigations are labour-intensive and very complex, but also arduous and time-consuming and I want to commend the detectives for the work that has culminated in this arrest.
- New England Detective Sergeant Matt Crotty
“It has been a very intensive investigation with a great amount of community assistance.
“These types of fraud investigations are labour-intensive and very complex, but also arduous and time-consuming and I want to commend the detectives for the work that has culminated in this arrest.”
According to her LinkedIn profile, Edmonds is a certified practising conveyancer and a Justice of the Peace and formerly worked for two Armidale firms.
The Leader is not suggesting the firms knew of Edmond’s alleged offending and detectives allege she acted alone.