The arrest of serial Australian conman Peter Clarence Foster in August 2020, in a case where he is accused of masterminding a scam over the internet, made huge headlines.

The arrest was a major result for a complex IFW Global investigation, which had assisted police in peeling back the layers of the alleged scam, that spread internationally. IFW Global Chairman Ken Gamble played a pivotal role in bringing Foster’s latest alleged scam undone by investigating his activities on behalf of a victim and the key police witness in this case, who is based in Hong Kong.

57-year-old Foster was arrested in dramatic fashion in Port Douglas, Queensland over the multi-million sports betting scam and as a result was served with 16 fraud related charges, following a nine-month investigation by Sydney City Detectives.  Police allege Foster laundered money gained through a company called Sport Predictions, by using a cryptocurrency exchange in Sydney, while he sat in various locations in Queensland and orchestrated the con over the phone and through his computers.

He was extradited to Sydney and following his court appearance Acting Superintendent Paul Dunstan told reporters: “He’s a recidivist offender. We need to commit to keeping the community safe.”

Sudden twist in the case

In a twist that has caught many by surprise, Foster was suddenly granted conditional bail last week, while the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions flagged publicly that the charges would likely be dropped because they do not believe there is reasonable prospects of a conviction in NSW.

IFW Chairman Ken Gamble said: “There’s no prospect of him being convicted of these charges in NSW, they’re going to withdraw the charges, that’s what my client and the key witness has been told.”

That would mean the case has to be picked up by Queensland Police (Foster was arrested in Qld), and if they don’t pick it up, Peter Foster will likely get away with an alleged major scam and be free to prey on more innocent victims.

“I am absolutely shocked and bewildered that the DPP is even considering dropping the compelling case against Foster, given the strength of evidence against him and the fact a Sydney cryptocurrency exchange was used to launder money he is accused of illegally obtaining from a victim,” Mr Gamble explained.

Strong case

Mr Gamble said NSW Police had obtained an overwhelming amount of evidence against Foster. They retrieved documents hidden inside a VHS player at Foster’s Port Douglas apartment that directly linked him to the alleged fraud.

“Adding to that, one of Foster’s cohorts rolled on him and provided a statement to police, laying bare the facts of how he managed the scam. Now all of a sudden after having investigated his actions for nine months the case is on thin ice,” Mr Gamble said.

Peter Foster has a history of cutting deals with various authorities when he is in prison in order to gain early release.

“Something is not right in relation to this case and I intend to get to the bottom of it, because serial offender Peter Foster is potentially going to get away with walking free from allegations of a major crime and that sends the wrong message to the community,’ Mr Gamble said.

Learn more about cyber investigations with IFW Global.