Melbourne Property Developer Remanded on Extortion, Blackmail Charges
Melbourne property developer Paul Fridman, 50, has been remanded in custody on multiple charges, including three counts of extortion, one of blackmail, and one of possessing a drug of dependence.
Police allege Fridman engaged an overseas operator, referred to as "Mr International," to threaten two former business partners, Ash Boyd and Nigel Givoni, to pay him over $20 million.
According to police, Fridman allegedly agreed to pay Mr International 10 percent of any money successfully extracted. The threats reportedly began in February of this year.
The 'Mr International' Connection
The alleged campaign of intimidation began in earnest in February. One of the alleged victims, Ash Boyd, a former partner in Fridman's company Fridcorp, received threatening messages after withdrawing from a planned hotel and apartment development in Queensland on February 20. These threats, which continued over days and weeks, escalated to include claims that "people have been shot over stuff like this."
Mr International also extended his reach to Boyd's family. He contacted Boyd's wife via WhatsApp, delivering a chilling message.
"I'm messaging you to get through to Ash, speak to him and get him to do the right thing. He's ripped us off his shares that are worth millions and if he doesn't get that signed over to me, I promise you I will make sure people get shot, houses get burned and people get kidnapped over this."
Further escalating the intimidation, a man of Middle Eastern appearance also allegedly delivered threatening messages directly to Boyd's mailbox.
Molotov Attack on Family HomeThe threats culminated in a physical attack on Saturday, just before 4 am, when two Molotov cocktails were reportedly thrown at Boyd's house in Glen Iris. Boyd, his wife, and their two young children were asleep inside at the time. The house sustained moderate damage, but fortunately, no one was injured.
Hours after the fire, Boyd received another WhatsApp message from Mr International asking if he had "changed his mind yet." Boyd maintains he does not owe Fridman any money.
Nigel Givoni: A Former Partner Targeted
The second alleged victim, Nigel Givoni, who had been a business partner of Fridman for 20 years, also received threats. Givoni reportedly stopped replying to Fridman's messages in November 2023, following a business deal Fridman pursued that led to Givoni's bankruptcy.
On February 24, Givoni received a WhatsApp call from Mr International. After rejecting the call, he received a series of menacing messages.
"I'm calling in regards to Paul, so get in contact with me before I send my boys to come pay you a visit," and later, "Alright, looks like I go about things my way. If it's worth losing your life over, then by all means let's go down that path."
Mr International claimed Givoni owed Fridman $20 million, a claim Givoni vehemently refutes, stating instead that Fridman owes him money.
Arrest, Confession, and Court Proceedings
Police arrested Fridman at his Caulfield North home on Monday morning. During the arrest, officers seized white powder believed to be cocaine. Detective Senior Constable Andrew Lauder stated that Fridman told officers he used cocaine to self-medicate his ADHD.
Following his arrest, Fridman reportedly admitted to contacting Mr International to "recoup monies he was owed" and confirmed a 10 percent fee agreement for any funds successfully recovered.
During a bail hearing in Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, Fridman's lawyer argued against a direct link between his client and the firebombing, claiming there was no direct evidence of messages between Fridman and Mr International regarding that specific act.
However, the magistrate expressed clear skepticism regarding this argument.
The magistrate noted Mr International's actions were "aimed at persuading these people to give your client lots of money."
Fridman was remanded overnight, and his bail hearing is set to continue.