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Former financial adviser Scott William Hines spent client’s money on KFC, Bunnings

Caroline SchelleNCA NewsWire
A former financial adviser has been jailed for rorting money from a client. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling
Camera IconA former financial adviser has been jailed for rorting money from a client. NCA NewsWire / David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia

A crooked financial adviser rorted more than $350,000 from a client and spent the money on KFC and trips to Bunnings.

Mildura man Scott William Hines was jailed for three years and five months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of obtain property by deception in the County Court of Victoria on Wednesday.

The former financial adviser met his vulnerable victim while working at the Mildura ANZ bank branch in 2010.

“She was a vulnerable person with limited financial knowledge and trusted you with her investments,” Judge Trevor Wraight said.

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BUNNINGS STOCK
Camera IconScott William Hines, 41, defrauded a vulnerable mum of more than $350,000 and spent the cash at Bunnings as well as on bills. NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz Credit: News Corp Australia

“You took advantage of that while she was focused on caring for her severely disabled daughter.”

Between 2011 and 2018, Hines gradually got full control of his victim’s finances, was able to withdraw cash from her account and used her debit card to pay for his expenses.

According to court documents, the spending started with small purchases such as meals from KFC and then escalated, with the cash used to pay for items at Bunnings as well as energy bills and council rates.

He created a trading account at Bunnings in Mildura using the woman’s debit card and spent more than $10,000 at the hardware shop.

His crimes continued even after he was sacked from the bank in March 2012 because of separate misconduct.

KFC COVID
Camera IconHines also spent his victim’s money on meals at KFC. NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone Credit: News Corp Australia

In one instance, Hines forged her signature to withdraw $30,000 from her account, the court was told.

He withdrew $230,000 from the woman’s term deposit account without her consent and took out $100,000 from her account to buy a bank cheque.

The 41-year-old also made himself executor of the victim’s will.

In total, he defrauded the woman of more than $363,000.

At a pre-sentence hearing, his lawyer explained Hines had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty and was remorseful.

However, none of the money had been repaid to the victim.

Hines must serve at least two years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Originally published as Former financial adviser Scott William Hines spent client’s money on KFC, Bunnings

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