The operation was codenamed “Operation Victor Rickenbacker.”
On January 16, a 53-year-old woman from the Australian state of Queensland was charged with fraud after allegedly defrauding brides by reselling designer dresses online while posing as a dry cleaner.
The six-month study began in September 2022 when a bride in Cairns, Australia, who had left her custom-made dress at a bridal company for cleaning, observed people wearing the same dress on social media. It started with that. The bride then reported the incident to the police, and an investigation was launched in July 2023. people.
After the investigation began, law enforcement provided the following information: guardian From January 2019 to July 2023, 69 more brides came forward with similar accounts. Acting Senior Sergeant Matt Hogan told the outlet that detectives worked diligently with 70 alleged victims and urged others to share their accounts.
“There may be victims who have not contacted the police yet,” he told the program. “If you have any information regarding a suspected fraudulent business, please report it to Police Link.”
Australian newspapers are brisbane timesThe operation was codenamed “Operation Victor Rickenbacker.” “Over the next few months, Cairns detectives executed search warrants at properties in Edmonton, Cairns North and Smithfield, and are suspected of seizing electronic equipment, documents and replica wedding dresses,” Queensland Police said in a statement. announced.
The statement also said the woman will appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on January 30.
Another detective, Owen Rogers, told the Brisbane Times: “At this stage of the investigation we are alleging that the victim and the complainant have been harmed in excess of $110,000.”
