Pretoria – An Australian con artist, Mr Luke David Bracken has been remanded in custody by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court where he appeared on Thursday, following his arrest on Tuesday for fraud.

Bracken, the owner of Bracken International Mining, defrauded several unsuspecting business people by promising to fund them and organise international business deals for them.

In one instance the suspect promised some business people to fund them with Two Hundred and Fifty US dollars. He then presented the victims with fraudulent SWIFT transfer letter and the unsuspecting business owners paid for his flight to South Africa as well as for his accommodation.

His shenanigans were unearthed when he attempted to solicit another Twelve Thousand US dollars and 20 000 Sterling Pounds which he said he wanted to use it to fly back to Brussels in order for him to release Five Hundred Million US dollars which he claimed would be used to fund the South African business people.

Bracken (55) has been charged with fraud and his case was postponed to 21 July 2016 for formal bail application.