A man has been charged after allegedly creating a fraudulent will in order to inherit a multimillion-dollar estate south of Sydney.
Police were called to the unoccupied deceased estate at East Corrimal, north of Wollongong, in January 2024 after reports of a break-in.
Officers will allege a will was fraudulently created using documents stolen from the Illawarra property and submitted in order to apply for probate.
A man has been charged with creating a fraudulent will to inherit a $4.5m estate. Picture: NSW Police
About nine months later, police searched the home and seized documents, including an original will.
During the search, officers also allegedly discovered two rifles, four gel blasters, ammunition, methylamphetamines, cash, three motor vehicles, a jetski and a motorcycle.
A 38-year-old man was arrested at the property and charged with 27 offences, including making a false document.
During a search, officers allegedly seized weapons, drugs, cars, a jetski and a motorbike,
The man, since identified as Matthew Barnes, was refused bail to appear before Wollongong Local Court on Thursday when no application was made for his release.
The Wollongong man will reappear before the same court on January 29 for a bail review.
Police will allege in court the estimated value of the fraud exceeds $4.5m, including four homes and two bank accounts.
Among the items allegedly found were two riles. Picture: NSW Police
Police also said they seized four gel blasters. Picture: NSW Police
Mr Barnes faces fraud-related charges, including seven counts of dealing with criminal proceeds, as well as nine counts of possessing an unauthorised firearm.
Police have also charged him with participating in a criminal group, supplying an indictable quantity of a prohibited drug, break and enter, and stealing a motor vehicle.