Maine

Australian Developer Set to Buy Saddleback Mountain Arrested Overseas for Fraud

The suspect announced his plan to buy the mountain in June 2017, but never provided the money to make the sale

An Australian developer whose company was set to buy Saddleback Mountain in Maine was arrested and charged with one count of fraud, according to NBC affiliate station WCSH-TV.

Sebastian Monsour, 44, was arrested Thursday in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia after police raided his offices.

Monsour, the CEO of Majella Group of Brisbane, was accused of defrauding a Chinese businessman out of a $5 million investment. The investment was for visa-compliant programs for the Chinese businessman, which was instead allegedly spent on Monsour’s other projects.

The developer announced his plan to purchase the Maine mountain in June 2017, but never provided the money needed to close the sale.

Monsour, who is being held without bail, is expected to appear in Queensland Court on Friday.

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