Matthew Sean Ryan-Garnsey (centre) arrives in the ACT escorted by police on Thursday (18 September). Photo: ACT Policing.
An alleged Sydney fraudster is accused of coming up with an elaborate scam to steal $44,000 from an overseas student he promised to help get an Australian visa.
Matthew Sean Ryan-Garnsey, 51, was extradited from NSW this week to face 29 charges in the ACT over the alleged visa scam.
It is alleged that he met a 34-year-old woman living in Australia on a student visa in 2021 before telling her he could help her obtain an Australian visa.
An ACT Policing spokesperson alleged she engaged with him, as well as with fake associates he created to deceive and defraud her, between January and September 2021.
She allegedly made 29 deposits to him that totalled more than $40,000.
An investigation into the alleged scam began after the woman went to police in December 2021.
Police raided Ryan-Garnsey’s home in Middelton Grange, Western Sydney, and issued him a summons to face his charges in the ACT in 2024.
But he allegedly failed to appear before Canberra’s courts on five occasions between November 2024 and early 2025.
As a result, he was extradited to the ACT earlier this week then faced the Magistrates Court on Friday (19 September) charged with 29 counts of obtaining property by deception.
He applied for bail, which prosecutor Corrine Kennedy opposed due to the risk of his failing to appear in court. She claimed the total amount of his deception was $44,600.
His lawyer, Donovan Kelso of Legal Aid, said his client told him he had already informed court authorities about the reasons why he hadn’t been able to attend court since November.
For instance, Ryan-Garnsey said he doesn’t have a driver licence and claimed he missed his morning train to the ACT on one occasion.
On another, he told the court he was unwell and may have provided it with medical documents.
Mr Kelso said his client claimed he didn’t know an arrest warrant had been issued for him until police arrived at his door.
He also said his client wanted to report to a police station in NSW if he was granted bail, but could attend an ACT police station every day of the week if required, despite the long transit time from his home.
But Magistrate Glenn Theakston said it was clear Ryan-Garnsey had a history of dishonesty.
He said Ryan-Garnsey had been told the warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2025, but then five months later claimed he was not aware of the warrant.
“It’s very difficult to place any weight on what this man says,” Magistrate Theakston said.
Bail was refused. Ryan-Garnsey was remanded in custody, and the matter was adjourned to 13 October.
No pleas were entered.
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