Dailyreport
A crypto-trader was found guilty
A court has revealed that a crypto trader has been convicted of murdering his mother in order to claim over $1 million in life insurance payouts and maintain the illusion of a “perfect life.”A crypto-trader was found guilty
A body was discovered in the bathroom of Colleen Rebelo, 58, at her residence in Perth, Australia, on May 25, 2020. Her lifeless body was discovered in the shower by her youngest son.
Investigations revealed that her son, Andre Zachary Rebelo, had acquired three distinct life insurance policies totalling $1.2 million AUD (£500,000) against his mother just one week prior to her passing, designating himself as the sole beneficiary.
Despite the sudden and unexpected nature of Ms. Rebelo’s death, first responders did not suspect foul play, and an autopsy was unable to discern the cause of death.
At the time, Rebelo and his then-partner, Instagram influencer Grace Piscopo, who has amassed over one million followers, displayed an extravagant lifestyle on social media by sharing images of luxurious holidays, flashy cars, and indulgent experiences.
Nevertheless, the court was informed that the couple was secretly experiencing financial difficulties, accumulating debts that exceeded $120,000.00 AUD.
Rebelo, 28, initiated an aggressive pursuit of insurance companies for payouts, including a $500,000 AUD (£252,000) policy, days after Ms. Rebelo’s death. In order to secure the claims, he submitted fabricated health and death records, forged copies of his mother’s medical documents and coroner’s report, and even used an AI-generated voice to impersonate Ms. Rebelo’s psychologist in a voicemail to the insurer.
The case was flagged by an insurance company employee who suspected that Rebelo was fraudulently attempting to claim life insurance years later.
Investigations into the circumstances of Ms. Rebelo’s death were initiated by the police subsequent to the tip-off. She was murdered in 2022, and her son was arrested and charged with the crime. The jury has since found him guilty.
