Fake wedding celebrant sentenced over five ‘invalid’ marriages in Victoria

Man, 31, pleaded guilty after charging each couple between $700 and $1,000 for his servicesFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA Melbourne man who pretended to be an authorised celebrant and performed fake ceremonies solemnising five invalid marriages has pleaded guilty to impersonating a commonwealth officer. Australian federal police said the 31-year-old pretended to be a celebrant while defrauding five couples of $700 to $1,000 each for his marriage services between March 2022 and April 2023.“The fake celebrant illegally solemnised the marriages of five couples in Victoria on their respective wedding days during the same period,” the force said. “All marriages performed by the offender are considered invalid.”Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...

Fake wedding celebrant sentenced over five ‘invalid’ marriages in Victoria

Man, 31, pleaded guilty after charging each couple between $700 and $1,000 for his services

A Melbourne man who pretended to be an authorised celebrant and performed fake ceremonies solemnising five invalid marriages has pleaded guilty to impersonating a commonwealth officer.

Australian federal police said the 31-year-old pretended to be a celebrant while defrauding five couples of $700 to $1,000 each for his marriage services between March 2022 and April 2023.

“The fake celebrant illegally solemnised the marriages of five couples in Victoria on their respective wedding days during the same period,” the force said. “All marriages performed by the offender are considered invalid.”

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Continue reading...