Victoria

Accused fraudster charged with scamming children's entertainers

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A "professional" conwoman wanted in three states is accused of stealing the personal identification details of job candidates for her children's party business, then using them to obtain loans of $25,000.

Courtnie Thomas, 27, was refused bail in a Melbourne court on Saturday with police alleging she obtained loans in the names of three victims and tried to obtain a further $7000 from a fourth victim last year.

They say Thomas is a "professional" fraudster wanted in South Australia and Queensland for deception.

Efforts are now under way to extradite her to Queensland where she faces 74 fraud related charges, Melbourne Magistrates Court was told.

It is alleged the single mother-of-two defrauded her latest victims after interviewing them for jobs at her Melbourne children's party business, Princess Party Time.

She then used their identities to apply for loans in their names, with the money eventually transferred into her account.

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It is also alleged Thomas used a fake passport to obtain a Point Cook rental property, for which more than $4000 in rent was never paid.

Police opposed bail, arguing Thomas posed a flight risk if released.

Thomas, who moved from South Australia to Victoria last year, represented herself on a string of deception charges.

She told magistrate Alan Spillane she intended to plead guilty on Friday but he wasn't convinced.

"You're exactly what they say you are - you're a person avoiding justice," Mr Spillane said.

"It seems to me you're hiding out in a different jurisdiction."

Thomas was remanded in custody to face the same court on February 10.

AAP