Home Australia Matthew Barnes is accused forging an elaborate fake will to get his hands on lavish $4.5million estate

Matthew Barnes is accused forging an elaborate fake will to get his hands on lavish $4.5million estate

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A 38-year-old man was arrested in Wollongong and now faces charges of falsifying a will to inherit a deceased man's $4.5 million home.
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A man is behind bars charged with dozens of crimes after he allegedly created a false will and stole documents to inherit his deceased neighbor’s $4.5 million estate.

Police were called to the deceased’s empty home in East Corrimal, in Wollongong, south of Sydney, in January 2024 following reports of an alleged break-in.

Police allege that Matthew Barnes, 38, fraudulently created a will using identification and financial documents stolen from Marino Mikleus’ home, which were then submitted to apply for probate.

Strike Force Sarina was created to investigate the alleged robbery.

Eight months later, strike force officers executed a search warrant at a nearby house in East Corrimal, where they allegedly located several documents – including an original will – which were seized for forensic examination.

Following extensive investigations, police executed a second search warrant at the same address on Wednesday morning, where officers seized two rifles, four gel guns, ammunition, methylamphetamines, cash, three motor vehicles, a jet ski and a motorcycle.

Barnes was arrested at the house and taken to Wollongong police station, where he was charged with 27 offences.

A 38-year-old man was arrested in Wollongong and now faces charges of forging a will to inherit a deceased man’s $4.5 million home.

Police raided the man's home in September 2024 and found the original will that will be used against him as evidence in court.

Police raided the man’s home in September 2024 and found the original will that will be used against him as evidence in court.

Barnes was charged with making false documents to obtain financial advantage and property and dishonestly obtaining financial advantage and property by deception.

He was also charged with seven counts of knowingly handling proceeds of crime, nine counts of possession of an unauthorized firearm, possession of ammunition without a license and possession of more than three unregistered and unlicensed firearms.

Other charges include supplying a prohibited drug in more than an actionable quantity and less than a commercial quantity, possessing a prohibited drug, participating in a criminal group, breaking into the deceased’s home and stealing a motor vehicle.

Police allege the alleged scheme involved four homes and two bank accounts, which amounted to an estimated value of $4.5 million.

Court documents indicate the properties belonged to Mr Mikleus and his mother Anna, who later died. The daily telegraph reported.

Barnes appeared at Wollongong Local Court on Thursday.

His lawyer told the court his client would not apply for bail but asked for the case to be listed later this month.

Barnes was refused bail and will reappear in court on January 29.

Police investigations continue.

During a search of the man's home, police found several firearms and gel guns.

During a search of the man’s home, police found several firearms and gel guns.

Methamphetamine, cash and other illegal items were also allegedly found on the property.

Methamphetamine, cash and other illegal items were also allegedly found on the property.

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