The victims of fraudster Brent Murray say they are happy to
see some justice done, even though they believe they will
never get their money back.
Murray's victims were his friends, some for more than 20
years, and members of his church.
Four victims laid complaints with police, but say more people
were taken in by Murray -
family members, the elderly and ill, and beneficiaries, some
who gave up their life savings to help a man regarded as a
trusted friend.
Some of Murray's victims, none of whom wanted to be
identified, were in court yesterday to see the computer
salesman from Mosgiel sentenced to prison for three years and
four months after admitting four charges of fraud and one of
using a document to gain pecuniary advantage.
''Seeing him in prison is the justice we have been looking
for, but I don't think he's remorseful. He's very good at
saying the words people want to hear,'' said one friend, who
gave Murray thousands of dollars on promises he would repay
it when a grant and mortgage increase came through.
The stress and having trusted someone who lied to them had
been hard to deal with, she said.
She was one four victims who eventually complained to police
about Murray's activities.
She claimed Murray owed nearly $1.2 million to 22 people,
most of whom did not want to make an official complaint.
Another victim, who met Murray at their church, invested in
Murray's business by loaning him money he inherited,
$225,000, and more later, he said.
Murray would pay the interest, but kept rolling over the
principal.
Another victim has been left with a $48,000 bill to a finance
company after Murray faked an invoice to the company to
obtain the loan, to pay back a loan he took from her company.
She said she had tried to help Murray sort his books in the
hope of getting back her money. When she realised he was
insolvent, she organised a meeting for 22 creditors he
identified.
''One woman was 80 and gave him her life savings. Another man
had Alzheimer's. It was just ... awful.''
She said it was unclear on what Murray spent the money.
He was always well dressed and had ''the best of
everything'', but had been operating a ponzi scheme of sorts.
''He would borrow $2000 and pay you back $3000, then he would
borrow more from you, but eventually the paying back
stopped.''
She said his creditors rallied around him for six to nine
months, trying to find ways to help him, before one couple
finally made an official complaint.
She was happy he was going to prison, and hoped it might be a
warning to others about dealing with him.
''We know we are never going to get our money back, but we
got justice.''
debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz
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