FBI examines scam touted by Gold Coast couple

THE US's top law enforcement agency is investigating a scam promoted by a Gold Coast couple which netted nearly $7 million from about 85 Australian investors.

One of the victims, Gold Coast real estate principal Angela Petropoulos, has just returned from a meeting with two FBI agents and a district attorney in the US state of Arkansas who are probing the complex rort allegedly orchestrated by US national Norm Hatchett.

In an email to investors, she said a US prosecutor has been appointed to pursue the scam, which was actively touted by Gold Coast cosmetic surgeon Terry Miller and his wife Melanie Leigh.

"They are 'following the money flow' and have told us that Norm's various bank accounts have been emptied and closed," wrote Ms Petropoulos, who operates Global Prestige Realty.

"We were warned this investigation was going to take some time ... if a case can be built, they will prosecute and if there are assets that can be seized, they will be. If there is a case to be answered and Norm flees, he will become a fugitive and they will seek to track him down."

Ms Petropoulos, who declined to comment yesterday, wrote that victims should be prepared to supply banking records and other information to American investigators, especially FBI special agent Perry Wilson.

The FBI has joined the case because at least one of the investors is an American citizen.

Brisbane lawyer Anthony Colavitti, who represents Dr Miller and Ms Leigh, said yesterday the FBI was seeking to interview his clients in person.

Mr Colavitti, who has also alerted the Department of Public Prosecutions, said an independent audit was under way of his clients' account used to disperse funds.

Dr Miller, who operates Medicos on Main off Tedder Ave at Main Beach, did not return calls yesterday. Ms Leigh also did not respond to messages.

Meanwhile, a group of 11 investors have joined forces in a bid to meet with and question the couple, who are understood to have received commissions from Mr Hatchett. Unless they retrieve their money, these investors have threatened to file a class action lawsuit and lodge complaints with Australian authorities.

Dr Miller and Ms Leigh encouraged friends, family, employees and even patients to invest in the alleged foreign exchange and commodities trading system generating "profits" of 20 per cent a month.

The wealthy couple served as ideal recruiters for the scam, with a lavish lifestyle that included "his and hers" Porsches, overseas vacations and a renovated waterfront home.

It remains unclear whether the couple were victims or accomplices of Mr Hatchett, who had previously been engaged to Ms Leigh.