Wollongong man Paul Iera allegedly fakes kidnapping to be with lover on New Year’s Eve

A man has been accused of faking his own kidnapping so he could spend New Year’s Eve with his lover instead of his wife.

Paul Iera, 35, was arrested Thursday before being charged with making a false accusation with intent unrelated to the investigation and false representation resulting in a police investigation.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Kate McKinley told the Wollongong local court on Friday that the investigation cost the force and the state government more than $25,000, as well as 100 to 200 hours of lost time.

Police allege that Iera left his home just before New Year’s Eve at 11:45pm on December 31, telling his partner that he would meet his “financial man” in Dapto, south of Wollongong.

However, her partner received a text message from a sex worker who claimed to have kidnapped Iera.

The court heard that the sex worker, with whom Iera had a history, apparently sent several text messages to Iera’s partner explaining the kidnapping.

Iera allegedly told the police that he was kidnapped by unknown men, but identified the sex worker as the manager of the kidnapping.

The texts say: ‘[Partner] his ‘[name]’ Thank you for sending me Paul, now revenge is goodbye, goodbye.

‘But I’ll be fine (sic) OK we’ll keep him with us until the morning he (sic) gives us his bike we call it square no one will touch it my word I’ll give you hun OK’.

Iera’s partner believed the sex worker was holding him hostage over a $7,000 dirt bike and, fearing for his well-being, contacted the police.

Detectives immediately began investigating, with officers poring over security cameras and speaking to witnesses.

However, between the time of the text messages sent to Iera’s partner, CCTV cameras allegedly captured him arriving with his lover at her home in Dombarton, on Illawarra Mercury informed.

He was wearing a basketball jersey and was carrying his phone and a travel bag.

NSW Police issued a statement on Friday after Iera faced court.

“It was established that the man allegedly fabricated the story of his own kidnapping,” police said.

The court heard that Iera called his father on New Year’s Day and told him that he had been kidnapped the night before but was back in Wollongong.

He said his kidnappers were leaving him in their nearby car.

Investigators found cell tower data showing the call came from the Dapto area.

Subsequent CCTV footage allegedly showed Iera and her lover getting into their vehicle at their home in Dombarton, seven minutes after the call.

The woman, believed to be Iera’s mistress, returned home a few minutes later, allegedly leaving Iera in her car.

He then sent Iera a message saying, “OMG Paul I can’t believe what you’ve done, how I was supposed to react.”

Iera was supported in court on Friday by his partner, his mother and his sister. Magistrate Chris McRobert described the case as “quite bizarre” but decided to grant Iera bail.

Police now believe her message was in reference to Iera’s earlier call to her father that she had overheard.

At around 10:30 a.m., police conducted a “high-risk vehicle stop” on Iera’s white van, believing he was being held hostage inside.

The court heard that Iera allegedly told them that he was kidnapped by unknown men, but identified the sex worker as the manager of the kidnapping.

The court also heard that Iera claimed that he was taken a long way before leaving him in his car in the morning and telling him to wait for instructions.

Police dispute this and say that no vehicle matching that of the suspected kidnappers was seen.

Investigators believe that Iera allegedly fabricated the kidnapping to spend New Year’s Eve with her lover after reviewing her phone records.

A crime scene was also set up at her lover’s house, which was covered by a high-quality CCTV system.

Iera was supported in court on Friday by his partner, his mother and his sister.

Judge Chris McRobert described the case as “quite bizarre” but decided to grant Iera bail.

You must report to the police every day, not contact prosecution witnesses except your partner, and have someone post $2000 bail.

He will return to court later this month.