Another Swann vehicle discovered after tip-off

A 1993 Mercedes E320 Cabriolet connected to  fraudster Michael Swann was recovered this week....
A 1993 Mercedes E320 Cabriolet connected to fraudster Michael Swann was recovered this week. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

A tip-off led police to recover another vehicle connected to fraudster Michael Swann.

Police confirmed a Mercedes car was recovered from a public place in St Leonards, Dunedin, on Thursday.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Ferguson said police recovered the car after ''chasing down'' a tip-off about a different vehicle linked to Mr Swann.

''While working to establish the whereabouts of this vehicle, we received separate and unrelated information that led us to locate the Mercedes.''

That Mercedes - a 1993 E320 Cabriolet - was one of dozens of listed assets subject to confiscation orders of the court.

Those documents reveal Mr Swann paid $53,000 for the vehicle - later forfeited to the Crown by the court despite its location being unknown.

Det Snr Sgt Ferguson was not in a position to comment further, but reiterated police would be proactive in following up new information in relation to Mr Swann's outstanding assets.

Mr Swann demonstrated a penchant for luxury items, with the Mercedes the latest in a string of vehicles seized by police since he was sentenced in March 2009.

Yesterday, the Otago Daily Times reported a 1922 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost - bought by Mr Swann for $160,000 in 2004 - was up for auction with a sale price estimate of between $60,000 and $80,000.

Earlier this year, a 1974 V12 E-Type Jaguar - also connected to Mr Swann - was recovered from a street in Christchurch.

Mr Swann, who lives and works in Christchurch as part of his release conditions, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

He remains subject to a $6 million pecuniary order, which effectively means any property recovered up to that amount could be used to satisfy the order made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

• Anyone with information about any outstanding assets linked to Michael Swann was urged to contact Dunedin police on 471-4800, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz

 

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