A recruitment boss who left a trail of debts across Australia and posted selfies with high-profile celebrities including David Koch and Roxy Jacenko has been arrested on fresh fraud charges.
Luke Hemmings, 30, was charged with three fraud offences relating to dishonestly inducing the delivery of goods worth around $100,000 on the Gold Coast on Tuesday.
Queensland police arrested Hemmings, who is the managing director of Whitefox Recruitment, following a search warrant at his Southport office and he will appear in court next month, the prosecutor said. Costa Dorada Newsletter reported.
Hemmings had previously been exposed as a failed businessman after leaving behind a string of debts from several failed businesses.
Another recruitment agency called Lambert Willcox Group, run by Hemmings, was ordered closed by a court over a $170,000 debt.
Hemmings also ran another company called Coceptive Recruitment, which went into liquidation in 2021 and the company owed creditors $760,000.
The company previously operated under the name Whitefox Recruitment Canberra after Hemmings set up the business with her mother in 2019.
He relocated the company to the Gold Coast in August 2023 in pursuit of new growth opportunities.
Hemmings (pictured left) used selfies of various celebrities, including PR queen Roxy Jacenko (pictured), to promote her business in a sponsored media article published in 2023.
Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting the latest fraud charges are linked to the failed companies.
Hemmings declined to comment on the allegations of misinformation when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday evening.
“I am exercising my right to remain silent. Please consult with my attorney for comment,” he said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Hemmings’ lawyer and police for further comment.
The former radio DJ and estate agent used selfies with former Sunrise presenters David Koch and Samantha Armytage to promote his business in a sponsored online media feature in 2023.
He was also pictured with PR queen Roxy Jacenko, but the trio claimed they don’t even know him.
Former Sunrise presenter David Koch (pictured right) has claimed he does not know Hemmings after the head of recruitment (pictured left) claimed he had previously connected with the financial journalist.
Just two months before moving to Queensland, Hemmings proclaimed himself a business leader in an article for Canberra City News, where he outlined his bold ambitions to become the head of the most successful recruitment agency in the nation’s capital and boasted of his celebrity connections.
She revealed she had overcome numerous setbacks, including a life-changing event that “almost shattered my dreams” and cast a dark shadow over her future.
“Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to rub shoulders and connect with some of the best traders in the country, including Samantha Armytage, David Koch, and Roxy Jacenko,” the May 2023 article stated.
Hemmings told the Daily Mail Australia that the Canberra article accurately portrayed his interactions with public figures, adding that he had been inspired by Koch, Armytage and Jacenko.
“It was not about insinuating personal friendships or inappropriate self-promotion,” he said.
He added that it was important to note that the selection of the photographs used was made by Canberra City News.
He also acknowledged that he may not have a personal friendship with Ms Jacenko, but confirmed that their paths had crossed professionally.
Hemmings addressed the allegations with the Daily Mail Australia last November after he appeared on the front page of a local Gold Coast newspaper as a failed music promoter, real estate agent and businessman.
The post also referenced historical claims that he was once accused of faking his own death.
Hemmings appears taking a photo with Samantha Armytage
It was also reported that Hemmings was previously also known as Dene Broadbelt, Lucas Hemmings, Dene Musillon, Dene Morgan, Harrison O’Connor, Harrison Eyles, Nic Lloyd and Clay O’Connor.
Hemmings insisted at the time that the recent “increased media attention” had not had a negative effect on his business.
While he admitted that while reports about his checkered past “brought to light issues dating back to 2012”, he insisted the effect on his business had been more than positive.
“Interestingly, this increased media attention, despite its questionable intent, has had a positive impact on my business,” he added.
Whitefox Recruitment describes itself as an agency changing “the perception and landscape of recruitment on the Gold Coast”.
“We don’t just post new job openings, cross our fingers and hope for the best. We create and execute custom campaigns that we refine as we go,” the website states.
A post on the company’s Facebook page earlier this month listed some of its recent accomplishments.
Hemmings is believed to have been awarded the Most Dedicated Legal Recruiting CEO of the Year and the Legal Recruiting CEO of the Year 2024.
“Luke’s tireless drive and unmatched leadership have not only set the standard but raised it to soaring heights,” the publication said.
Hemmings is due to appear at Southport Magistrates’ Court on August 8.