A prominent property investment guru and wealth coach who has graced the front of newspapers and rubbed shoulders with celebrities will face court later this week on a fraud charge.
Zaki Ameer, 44, founder of Dream Design Property, moved to Australia from Sri Lanka at age 18 and after completing a Bachelor of Business, a “chance meeting” inspired him to get into property investment.
“After a few short years, Zaki had secured a successful portfolio of 10 properties, valued at over $3 million,” his website states.
“Quickly gaining recognition for his success, Zaki began speaking at seminars and events about wealth creation and personal development. Zaki recognised his enthusiasm for mentoring. This lead to the creation of DDP Property (DDP) — a unique wealth creation program.”
DDP says it has helped more than 1000 clients purchase more than 1300 properties and has annual turnover of $13.8 million.
But Mr Ameer, who flaunts his lavish lifestyle on social media and once featured on the front page of The Australian Financial Review, will soon defend a criminal charge of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception in proceedings brought by NSW Fair Trading, The Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday.
The alleged offence carries a maximum jail sentence of two years as it is being prosecuted in the local courts.
According to the court attendance notice seen by The Daily Telegraph, Mr Ameer is alleged to have provided a bank receipt to Richard Orchard and/or Arthur Brooks indicating a $4000 payment had been made to one or both men from his company Dream Design Do Australia Pty Ltd “in accordance with a conciliation agreement, knowing that no such payment was made”.
Mr Ameer “did, by deception, dishonestly obtain financial advantage of $7500 or part thereof for his company (DDDA)”, the notice said, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The allegation has not been proven and Mr Ameer told the newspaper he had pleaded not guilty.
“The client was paid his due monies and an additional full settlement amount before the charge,” he said.
Mr Ameer and NSW Fair Trading have been contacted for comment.
The hearing has been set down for Thursday June 13 at Parramatta Local Court.
frank.chung@news.com.au