Peter Foster to be extradited to Queensland over alleged $2m cryptocurrency scam

Notorious conman Peter Foster will be extradited to Queensland to face fraud charges over an alleged $2 million cryptocurrency scam.

Mr Foster, who has vowed to fight the charges, was arrested by federal police on Tuesday near Gisborne, about an hour north-west of Melbourne, after a six-month investigation.

During a brief hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday, magistrate Jason Ong granted a federal police application to move Mr Foster, 59, to Queensland. He did not oppose the application and will be transferred into the custody of Queensland police on December 11.

“As a proud Queenslander, I want to go home,” Mr Foster said.

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Appearing from custody in West Melbourne with a long white beard and wearing what appeared to be a blue hospital-type gown, he paced back and forth, fidgeted and repeatedly rose from his seat and sat down.

Insisting he be heard, Mr Foster made several attempts to address the magistrate directly about what he believed to be poor treatment at the hands of Queensland police during his dramatic arrest in August 2020.

Mr Foster’s lawyer, Chris Hannay, told his client to not ventilate the issues during this hearing. Mr Foster again pleaded to be heard, to which Mr Hannay responded: “Well, I can’t stop you, but it’s not appropriate.”

Mr Foster told the court: “I’m very concerned with the manner in which Queensland police have handled this.