An Indian immigrant accused by Queensland police of scamming elderly residents has been found to be living illegally in Australia.
33-year-old Indian national Rikunj Kumar Joshi was arrested on Friday after police accused him of defrauding three elderly people, reports.
Mr Joshi has been accused of scamming three people of $5000 each in what is believed to be a scam where people impersonate Australian Taxation Office officers to obtain money.
He appeared before a special Saturday morning sitting of the Toowoomba Magistrates Court and was denied bail.
Mr Joshi’s duty solicitor Shane MacDonald (MacDonald Law) who applied for his client’s bail told the magistrate his client was working as a farm hand and had no idea how the money allegedly ended up in his bank account.
Mr MacDonald was quoted as saying that the police material did not accuse Mr Joshi of being the primary mover in any offence.
He also said Mr Joshi will contest these charges.
However police opposed the bail.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Mike Robinson called the matter "very serious" and accused the defendant of "preying on the elderly".
Magistrate Kay Ryan also noted that Joshi was living as an illegal immigrant as his visa had expired in March 2015.
Ms Ryan said the case involved $15,000 which made it very serious and found Joshi an “unacceptable risk" that he would flee the country if granted bail.
Ms Ryan refused bail to Mr Joshi who will return to court on April 6.
