By Tara Cosoleto in Melbourne

Seven Victorians accused of helping overseas scammers swindle more than $14 million from innocent victims have faced a Melbourne court.

Police allege the group opened and managed fraudulent local business accounts over an 18-month period to make the scam look legitimate.

The international scammers then used the local accounts to trick victims into thinking they were depositing money into fixed-term deposits or buying shares.

It’s alleged the Victorian-based mules moved more than $14 million offshore between August 2022 and February 2024, receiving commissions in return.

Thirty Australians have been identified as victims, including a 56-year-old Canberra woman who transferred $1.6 million to a fake account in February.

Six men aged 44 to 51 and a 45-year-old woman have been charged in the past nine months with dealing with proceeds of crime offences.

They are Simon Geoffrey Flockhart, Christopher George Johnston, Scott Anderson, Damian Tuckwell Meredith, Lonnie Brian Stephenson, Brent Aaron Watts and Nicole Kristy Clegg.

The group fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday morning for a committal mention hearing

Watts and Clegg appeared via video link from custody, while the rest appeared in person either on bail or on summons.

The court was told police are still seeking six statements, including three from victims who live either overseas or interstate.

A forensic accountant has also been contacted to compile a report, but police have been told it could take between eight and 12 months to complete.

Magistrate Belinda Wallington told the informant to see if the process could be expedited, given the importance of the accountant’s evidence.

The case was adjourned for a further committal mention in December, while a five-day committal hearing has been set down for April 2025.