It was allegedly the lie that reeled an unsuspecting photocopy worker into a $195,000 fraud.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A sale contract for a $3.19 million boat, flashed in front of a CopyQik store owner by an alleged fraudster who prosecutors say was carefully presenting an image of wealth and success.
Frank John Fischetti, 54, spent two years regularly going to the Canberra store to copy documents. He struck up a friendship with the owner, introducing him to his children and wife.
One day in 2013, he allegedly brought in the fake contract for the $3.19 million boat for copying.
Prosecutor Margaret Jones told the jury in her opening at Fischetti's ACT Supreme Court trial on Wednesday that the accused had led the man to believe he was a rich businessman.
But the reality is alleged to have been vastly different. The prosecution says he was earning less than $20,000 a year, was on a carer's pension, and was declared bankrupt.
The store owner asked about the boat contract, and then told Fischetti he was looking to make more money through investments.
"The prosecution's case is that this boat contract ... was a lie to reel [the victim] in," Ms Jones said.
The pair exchanged numbers, and Fischetti later told the man he and a business partner had a property deal on the Gold Coast.
The property deal, he said, would bring in significant returns.
The shop owner transferred a total of $195,000 in four transactions to a bank account that prosecutors say Fischetti controlled.
The money was allegedly used on groceries, restaurants, cash withdrawals, and other personal expenses.
"[The victim] never saw that money again. Not a penny," Ms Jones said.
Fischetti's trial began on Wednesday in the ACT Supreme Court, before Acting Justice David Robinson.
Fischetti is also accused of attempting to secure a NAB loan for $1.4 million for a property in Nicholls using forged documents and a false name.
He was unsuccessful in obtaining that loan, the court heard.
In her opening to the jury on Wednesday, Ms Jones told the jury there would be a significant number of documents tendered and many witnesses called in the trial.
Fischetti has pleaded not guilty to 13 fraud charges, although the prosecution signalled it would not proceed with one.
