Latest news with #LamborghiniAventador
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Heinous' alleged $2m betting scam funded ‘life of luxury', court told
A Sydney man is accused of scamming millions from friends and schoolmates to fund a life of luxury including sports cars, expensive hotels and Rolex watches. Chao Wang, 23, appeared in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday facing allegations he perpetrated a 'heinous' scam to extract more than $2 million from more than a dozen victims by convincing them to invest in a fake betting company. Wang was arrested in June after flying back into Australia and charged with a string of serious fraud offences. NSW Police began investigating the former Ashfield Boys High captain in August 2023 after an alleged victim came forward to complain that they had been allegedly scammed after investing in Mr Wang's betting company, Lotzkebets. According to court documents, Mr Wang graduated from Ashfield Boys High in 2019, and in 2021 registered Lotzkebets, which he claimed was an online gambling company. It's alleged in the court documents that he solicited investments from friends, including former schoolmates, promising them large returns and used falsified documents to back up his claims. He would then allegedly ask for more money from his alleged victims by claiming their returns were being held up due to 'vague money laundering concerns' or because of unpaid GST. According to police allegations, he also made himself out to be a member of the Chinese triad with links to Middle Eastern crime families. He is alleged to have extorted $2,091,000 from 13 victims. According to court documents, the ATO indicated that Lotzkebets was never a legitimate company. It's alleged that Mr Wang had a gambling problem and had lost over $1.1 million to online betting companies. According to the court documents, he defrauded one victim of $112,000 and offered him a Rolex watch as collateral on the repayments - only the watch was fake, police say. He is alleged to have fleeced another schoolmate of $450,000, leading the friend to launch civil proceedings, however he was only able to recover just over $90,000. According to court documents, Mr Wang was living in luxury hotels in the Sydney CBD and renting sports cars. He allowed one of his alleged victims to drive a rented Lamborghini Aventador but demanded $150,000 from him after claiming he had scraped the bottom of the vehicle. Police allege Mr Wang had threatened the man over the supposed debt and claimed that a member of the Hamzy crime family would murder him. The man was allegedly defrauded of over $220,000 and made a police report in July 2023 - but by this time Mr Wang had already left Australia for Thailand and an arrest warrant was issued. Mr Wang was arrested upon his return to Australia earlier this year and charged over one of the incidents. He was later charged with further offences and remains in custody on remand. According to the court documents, police alleged Mr Wang lived with his parents and 'lived a life of luxury at the misery of his victims.' 'The accused's conduct is made more heinous by the fact that he exploited his friends' trust to defraud them, he fully knew that his victims were borrowing from their families to satisfy his own greed,' police allege in the documents. 'He knew that this was causing serious issues for his victims with their families yet he aggressively pursued his victims for more funds.' He was charged with 11 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, two counts of making false documents to obtain financial advantage and one count of demand with menaces.
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Perth Now
Alleged $2m bet scam funded ‘life of luxury'
A Sydney man is accused of scamming millions from friends and schoolmates to fund a life of luxury including sports cars, expensive hotels and Rolex watches. Chao Wang, 23, appeared in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday facing allegations he perpetrated a 'heinous' scam to extract more than $2 million from more than a dozen victims by convincing them to invest in a fake betting company. Wang was arrested in June after flying back into Australia and charged with a string of serious fraud offences. NSW Police began investigating the former Ashfield Boys High captain in August 2023 after an alleged victim came forward to complain that they had been allegedly scammed after investing in Mr Wang's betting company, Lotzkebets. According to court documents, Mr Wang graduated from Ashfield Boys High in 2019, and in 2021 registered Lotzkebets, which he claimed was an online gambling company. It's alleged in the court documents that he solicited investments from friends, including former schoolmates, promising them large returns and used falsified documents to back up his claims. Former Ashfield Boys High captain Chao Wang has been charged over an alleged $2m betting scam. Supplied. Credit: News Corp Australia He would then allegedly ask for more money from his alleged victims by claiming their returns were being held up due to 'vague money laundering concerns' or because of unpaid GST. According to police allegations, he also made himself out to be a member of the Chinese triad with links to Middle Eastern crime families. He is alleged to have extorted $2,091,000 from 13 victims. According to court documents, the ATO indicated that Lotzkebets was never a legitimate company. It's alleged that Mr Wang had a gambling problem and had lost over $1.1 million to online betting companies. According to the court documents, he defrauded one victim of $112,000 and offered him a Rolex watch as collateral on the repayments - only the watch was fake, police say. He is alleged to have fleeced another schoolmate of $450,000, leading the friend to launch civil proceedings, however he was only able to recover just over $90,000. According to court documents, Mr Wang was living in luxury hotels in the Sydney CBD and renting sports cars. He allowed one of his alleged victims to drive a rented Lamborghini Aventador but demanded $150,000 from him after claiming he had scraped the bottom of the vehicle. Police allege Mr Wang had threatened the man over the supposed debt and claimed that a member of the Hamzy crime family would murder him. Chao Wang has been charged with a series of serious fraud offences. Supplied. Credit: News Corp Australia The man was allegedly defrauded of over $220,000 and made a police report in July 2023 - but by this time Mr Wang had already left Australia for Thailand and an arrest warrant was issued. Mr Wang was arrested upon his return to Australia earlier this year and charged over one of the incidents. He was later charged with further offences and remains in custody on remand. According to the court documents, police alleged Mr Wang lived with his parents and 'lived a life of luxury at the misery of his victims.' 'The accused's conduct is made more heinous by the fact that he exploited his friends' trust to defraud them, he fully knew that his victims were borrowing from their families to satisfy his own greed,' police allege in the documents. 'He knew that this was causing serious issues for his victims with their families yet he aggressively pursued his victims for more funds.' He was charged with 11 counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, two counts of making false documents to obtain financial advantage and one count of demand with menaces. His matter was mentioned in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday and he will appear in court again on September 24.
Herald Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Herald Sun
‘Highest of highs': Brad Pitt's $6m flex
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brad Pitt isn't just portraying a Formula 1 driver in films — he's also a true car enthusiast in real life. The Hollywood star's collection features a roaring V12 Lamborghini, sleek electric Porsches, luxurious 4x4s and one of the world's rarest cars. His car collection itself is estimated to be worth approximately $6.3 million. Here's a look inside his extraordinary car collection. Lamborghini Aventador One of the most impressive vehicles in his collection is the Lamborghini Aventador, a V12-powered machine capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately three seconds. It's unclear which specific version he owns, but with any Aventador, the screaming V-12 engine can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3 seconds. Lamborghini Aventador. Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition Another head-turner in his collection is the Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition, a 2015 model gifted to him by his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. MORE: The big problem with F1: The Movie Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition Audi R8 Spyder There's also an Audi R8 Spyder, and it's pretty easy to see why Brad Pitt owns it. Packing over 600 horsepower and capable of speeds beyond 320 km/h, it's a fitting match for someone chasing the F1 thrill even off-set. Audi R8 Spyder (2017 model shown). Picture: Thomas Wielecki Bentley Continental GT For a touch of British luxury, Pitt has a Bentley Continental GT. While he's rarely seen in it, the car is believed to be reserved for special events and award nights. MORE: 'Turn it off': The tech Aussies hate most Photo of a Bentley Continental GT coupe and convertible Porsche Taycan Brad Pitt has been seen cruising around Hollywood in his 2023 Porsche Taycan. Depending on the model, the Taycan can have a dual-motor all-wheel drive that's capable of producing up to 751hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 in 2.4 seconds. While it's unclear which Taycan Pitt owns, photos of him driving it around Los Angeles suggest it could be his new daily vehicle. Two Tesla Model S There's some bad history with one of his two Tesla Model S. In 2018, one of his two Teslas was involved in a three-car crash in Los Angeles. The Tesla Model S produces 670HP and has a top speed of around 320 km/h. It can also accelerate from 0 to 100 in just over three seconds. Tesla Model S. Photo: Tesla Escape Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Pitt is often seen driving his 2008 Mercedes G-Wagon. It's a black Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG SUV that's fitted with a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine that can do 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Mercedes Benz G 55 (G55) AMG V8 SUV wagon. Audi Q7 Brad Pitt has chosen the Audi Q7 as his go-to vehicle for picking up his kids and everyday tasks. It's a popular choice among many celebrities and can do 0-100 in 7.7 seconds with its 280hp engine. Prices for the Audi Q7 start from just above $100,000 for the 45 TDI that generates 170kW from its turbo diesel engine. BMW Hydrogen 7 This could be Pitt's rarest car in his collection. The BMW Hydrogen 7 has a unique engine, allowing drivers to switch between hydrogen gas and petrol. BMW Hydrogen 7 hydrogen-fuelled motor car 2006. These were built between 2005 and 2007 as part of BMW's exploration of hydrogen-powered vehicles, and only 100 were ever produced. The car has been described as a 'green flex' given it's astronomical price tag. It's said to be worth around $2m. He was last seen driving this car while attending the premiere of Ocean's 13. 'HIGHEST OF HIGHS' A month on from the release of his F1 film, Brad Pitt has opened up about his behind-the-scenes racing experience, sharing which legendary Formula One circuit left him 'breathless'. While reviews of the movie have been mixed, it's clear that Pitt received a front-row seat to one of the world's most prestigious motorsport events. While filming the F1 movie, he drove on various race tracks that comprise the Formula 1 calendar. And now Brad Pitt has opened up and shared his experience on which Formula 1 track left him feeling the 'highest of highs'. Brad Pitt speaks with Oscar Piastri before the start of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) Actor Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt in F1 (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) During a recent podcast interview with Tom Clarkson on Beyond The Grid, Pitt opened up about his new-found appreciation for the world's most iconic circuits like Silverstone and Abu Dhabi. However, there was one track that made him feel completely different from the rest. And that crown belongs to Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps, commonly referred to as Spa. 'But the high of highs? Spa. Oh my god! 4.3 miles, 100-metre elevation … It's such a smooth, graceful feeling,' Brad Pitt said. US actor Brad Pitt (L) speaks with Nigerian-British actor Damson Idris during a break from filming a scene for the movie F1. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) 'And then of course, Eau Rouge, we went to the bottom of Eau Rouge, turned behind, looked up the hill and waited. 'Fernando Alonso went by, and it literally sucks the air out of your lungs. It is unbelievable. It is unbelievable. 'That was that same weekend we were driving, I'd been out, but I wasn't doing what Fernando was doing!' A general view of Spa. (Photo by) Originally published as 'Highest of highs': Brad Pitt's $6m flex
Courier-Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
‘Highest of highs': Brad Pitt's $6m flex
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Brad Pitt isn't just portraying a Formula 1 driver in films — he's also a true car enthusiast in real life. The Hollywood star's collection features a roaring V12 Lamborghini, sleek electric Porsches, luxurious 4x4s and one of the world's rarest cars. His car collection itself is estimated to be worth approximately $6.3 million. Here's a look inside his extraordinary car collection. Lamborghini Aventador One of the most impressive vehicles in his collection is the Lamborghini Aventador, a V12-powered machine capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately three seconds. It's unclear which specific version he owns, but with any Aventador, the screaming V-12 engine can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in around 3 seconds. Lamborghini Aventador. Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition Another head-turner in his collection is the Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition, a 2015 model gifted to him by his ex-wife Angelina Jolie. MORE: The big problem with F1: The Movie Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition Audi R8 Spyder There's also an Audi R8 Spyder, and it's pretty easy to see why Brad Pitt owns it. Packing over 600 horsepower and capable of speeds beyond 320 km/h, it's a fitting match for someone chasing the F1 thrill even off-set. Audi R8 Spyder (2017 model shown). Picture: Thomas Wielecki Bentley Continental GT For a touch of British luxury, Pitt has a Bentley Continental GT. While he's rarely seen in it, the car is believed to be reserved for special events and award nights. MORE: 'Turn it off': The tech Aussies hate most Photo of a Bentley Continental GT coupe and convertible Porsche Taycan Brad Pitt has been seen cruising around Hollywood in his 2023 Porsche Taycan. Depending on the model, the Taycan can have a dual-motor all-wheel drive that's capable of producing up to 751hp and can accelerate from 0 to 100 in 2.4 seconds. While it's unclear which Taycan Pitt owns, photos of him driving it around Los Angeles suggest it could be his new daily vehicle. Two Tesla Model S There's some bad history with one of his two Tesla Model S. In 2018, one of his two Teslas was involved in a three-car crash in Los Angeles. The Tesla Model S produces 670HP and has a top speed of around 320 km/h. It can also accelerate from 0 to 100 in just over three seconds. Tesla Model S. Photo: Tesla Escape Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG Pitt is often seen driving his 2008 Mercedes G-Wagon. It's a black Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG SUV that's fitted with a 5.5-litre supercharged V8 engine that can do 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds. Mercedes Benz G 55 (G55) AMG V8 SUV wagon. Audi Q7 Brad Pitt has chosen the Audi Q7 as his go-to vehicle for picking up his kids and everyday tasks. It's a popular choice among many celebrities and can do 0-100 in 7.7 seconds with its 280hp engine. Prices for the Audi Q7 start from just above $100,000 for the 45 TDI that generates 170kW from its turbo diesel engine. BMW Hydrogen 7 This could be Pitt's rarest car in his collection. The BMW Hydrogen 7 has a unique engine, allowing drivers to switch between hydrogen gas and petrol. BMW Hydrogen 7 hydrogen-fuelled motor car 2006. These were built between 2005 and 2007 as part of BMW's exploration of hydrogen-powered vehicles, and only 100 were ever produced. The car has been described as a 'green flex' given it's astronomical price tag. It's said to be worth around $2m. He was last seen driving this car while attending the premiere of Ocean's 13. 'HIGHEST OF HIGHS' A month on from the release of his F1 film, Brad Pitt has opened up about his behind-the-scenes racing experience, sharing which legendary Formula One circuit left him 'breathless'. While reviews of the movie have been mixed, it's clear that Pitt received a front-row seat to one of the world's most prestigious motorsport events. While filming the F1 movie, he drove on various race tracks that comprise the Formula 1 calendar. And now Brad Pitt has opened up and shared his experience on which Formula 1 track left him feeling the 'highest of highs'. Brad Pitt speaks with Oscar Piastri before the start of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) Actor Javier Bardem and Brad Pitt in F1 (Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images) During a recent podcast interview with Tom Clarkson on Beyond The Grid, Pitt opened up about his new-found appreciation for the world's most iconic circuits like Silverstone and Abu Dhabi. However, there was one track that made him feel completely different from the rest. And that crown belongs to Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps, commonly referred to as Spa. 'But the high of highs? Spa. Oh my god! 4.3 miles, 100-metre elevation … It's such a smooth, graceful feeling,' Brad Pitt said. US actor Brad Pitt (L) speaks with Nigerian-British actor Damson Idris during a break from filming a scene for the movie F1. (Photo by Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP) 'And then of course, Eau Rouge, we went to the bottom of Eau Rouge, turned behind, looked up the hill and waited. 'Fernando Alonso went by, and it literally sucks the air out of your lungs. It is unbelievable. It is unbelievable. 'That was that same weekend we were driving, I'd been out, but I wasn't doing what Fernando was doing!' A general view of Spa. (Photo by) Originally published as 'Highest of highs': Brad Pitt's $6m flex
Toronto Star
28-06-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
Tesla Cybertruck has a bad rap. So she gave hers a peach of a wrap
Christel Virag knows her main vehicle is one some people love to hate, whether it's due to its futuristic appearance, or because its creator, Elon Musk, is a highly polarizing figure. In her eyes, her 2024 Tesla Cybertruck is just peachy … the same colour the vehicle's stainless-steel body is wrapped in. Although Virag, who lives with her family in Georgetown, also has a Cadillac Escalade and a Lamborghini Aventador, the angular Cybertruck is the vehicle she gravitates to. 'I grew up in a single-parent, low-income home, and I didn't even know what a Lamborghini or Bentley was. I wasn't into cars.
