A Melbourne couple allegedly splurged more than $10m of mistakenly paid cryptocurrency on luxury houses, furniture and art despite being urged to pay it back, a court has been told.
Thevamanogari Manivel and her partner Jatinder Singh are awaiting trial in Victoria’s County Court on theft charges that allegedly resulted from a bungled transfer from exchange company Crypto.com.
The couple may not even go to trial until after March next year.
During a brief directions hearing on Tuesday, the court was told staff from Crypto.com would need to give evidence at any future trial date, as much of the evidence would hinge on their communications with Mr Singh.
“We envisage a lot, if not most, of the banking evidence can be done by admission,” prosecutor Damian Ellwood said.
Indictments against the pair were likely to be presented in February, he said.
Police allege the massive windfall was transferred to Ms Manivel after she was supposed to receive a $100 refund from Crypto.com in May last year.
Instead of returning the money, prosecutors allege she and her partner went on a spending spree, buying multiple houses and luxury items like a car, furniture and art.
One of the homes was worth about $1.35m.
Ms Manivel and Mr Singh have both pleaded not guilty to theft, while Ms Manivel also pleaded not guilty to a count of negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime.
On Tuesday, Mr Ellwood said communications between Crypto.com and Commonwealth Bank Australia – allegedly used to withdraw the money – would be “essential” to the case.
He said the bank was “initially unhappy” to provide the administrative records to police but they have since been secured.
Ms Manivel and Mr Singh will return to court on March 21, 2023, for a further directions hearing.
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