Arrests follows after 12 lenders caught in alleged $110 million Myra Home Loans fraud

Two Melbourne men, Najam Shah, 55 of Glen Waverley, Victoria and Aizaz Hassan, 34, of Truganina, Victoria have been arrested and charged following an ASIC investigation into the alleged use of false documents in support of loan applications valued at about $110 million.

Shah and Hassan have been charged with one count each of common law conspiracy to defraud, according to an ASIC release.

The charges relate to the men’s roles at a Footscray company, Myra Home Loan Pty Ltd trading as Myra Financial Services (no longer trading).

It is alleged that between April 2008 and December 2011, Shah and Hassan conspired to defraud 12 lenders, banks and other financial institutions, by creating and using false documents to support loan applications submitted on behalf of Myra clients.

The false documents included bank statements, payslips, citizenship certificates and statutory declarations. These were predominantly used in support of applications for home loans for house and land packages as well as for the purchase or refinance of existing homes. 

At least 350 loans valued at $110 million were submitted and approved on behalf of Myra clients.

The alleged conspiracy involves submission of false documents for more than 300 loan applications to numerous banks and financial institutions, including the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac Banking Corporation, St George Bank, Bankwest, Adelaide Bank, ANZ, Bank of Queensland, Choice Home Loans, Citibank, National Australia Bank, Pepper Homeloans and Suncorp Bank.

Property Observer gleans the company was established in 2006 out of Whitehall Street premises.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

Shah appeared at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court and Hassan before a bail justice on 2 January 2015.

Shah and Hassan were bailed on conditions including that they report to police twice a week, surrender valid passports or any other valid travel documents and not apply for any other, not attend any points of international departure and not leave Australia.

Both men are to reappear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 17 April 2015.

Manija Zayee, Shah’s partner and former Myra director, has also been charged on summons in connection with this matter with one charge of obtaining a financial advantage by deception. Zayee is to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 27 January 2015.

It is alleged that Zayee submitted false documents in support of a loan application for a home loan, in her own name, in September 2009.

The matters are being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.