Riverina man arrested over alleged horse scam, motel rort

A 49-YEAR-OLD man is behind bars tonight, facing multiple fraud charges following an investigation into an alleged horse sale scam in the Riverina.

Rural Crime Investigators attached to the Riverina Police District launched inquiries in late June after a 40-year-old woman reported being scammed while attempting to buy a horse.

Police allege the woman paid a deposit to the man—who was known to sell horses—on Friday 30 May 2025.

However, the horse was never delivered, and all attempts to recover the money were unsuccessful.

Police allege the funds were fraudulently obtained and used for alternative purposes.

Following ongoing inquiries, officers from the Rural Crime Prevention Team (RCPT) arrested the man in The Rock area—approximately 32 kilometres south-west of Wagga—about 10.40am today, Wednesday 30 July.

Further checks revealed the man, who was already on bail for previous offences, was also involved in an alleged fail-to-pay offence at a motel in Wagga in June.

He was taken to Wagga Wagga Police Station and charged with three counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, as well as breach of bail.

The man was refused bail and is set to appear before Bail Court Division 5 tomorrow, Thursday 31 July 2025.