May 7, 2020
A father-son team – the subject of a 14-month investigation by police – have been charged with fraud in relation to planned line-dancing events.
Bruce, 67, and Brett Jenkins, 38, were due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Thursday.
They have each been charged with 202 fraud offences.
Police put out an appeal to locate the men last year.
As a result of information given to Crime Stoppers, detectives attended a unit at Kings Beach in Caloundra on Wednesday afternoon and located the two men.
It will be alleged the pair committed fraud offences by organising holidays via a line-dancing travel company.
The holidays included group trips overseas and domestically, including line-dancing festivals, balls and cruises.
After money was paid, the holiday was cancelled with no refunds provided.
Police initially received 75 complaints for a fraud value of $144,000 from members of the public across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.
A further 127 complaints – worth $178,000 – were received after an appeal for information in April last year.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ken Rogers said the majority of the victims were elderly and vulnerable.
He said inquiries were ongoing but police will allege the money was spent on online gambling.
Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a line-dancing scam have been asked to contact police.
- Related article: Police Probe Line-Dancing Fraud
UPDATE December 15, 2021: Bruce and Brett Jenkins appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court today. They were granted bail and committed to stand trial in the Brisbane District Court at a later date.
