Anthony McIlwain review: Realestate Broker for a scam

When Anthony McIlwain introduced an Australian businessman to Julian Bulman of
LHL Concepts Pty Ltd, did he know how it would end? Anthony McIlwain seems to have
been friends with Julian Bulman from Thailand, and it is advised by the ‘introducee’ that
his company, Last Pixel, is the Perth WA base of LHL Concepts (as per LHL website).
Did Anthony McIlwain know at the time of the introduction that the business deal would
end in what the businessman, a major developer and their banks believed was a scam?
Background
A newly finished multi storey building was for sale in an Australian capital city. The
developer wanted $35 million USD and a prospective buyer was very interested, but
needed some financial backing. A solicitor he knew introduced him to Anthony
McIlwain. Mr McIlwain presented himself as a friend and business associate of Mr Julian
Bulman, Executive Chairman of LHL Concepts. LHL Concepts (which also trades as
Leybourne Holdings) was a venture capital firm specialising in infrastructure
developments and focussed on getting maximum investment for minimum initial outlay
by their clients.
Introduction to Julian Bulman
Anthony McIlwain assured first the developer and then the prospective buyer that he
knew Mr Bulman and LHL Concepts’ Chief Financial Officer, Ian Williamson, very
well. Mr McIlwain advised that they had collaborated on multiple projects throughout
Australia and indeed the world. Further, he stated that this project would be the smallest
one they had looked at. He quoted the buyer $50, 000 USD to introduce him to Julian
Bulman. The buyer asked if any of these projects could be verified for the banks and the
developer, but Mr McIlwain apparently told the buyer that “Julian doesn’t have to give an
account to anyone.” The buyer decided to agree to an introduction and in February 2010
Anthony McIlwain flew out to meet him and Julian Bulman together.
Account of the Sale
In March 2010, after a thorough vetting from LHL Concepts/Leybourne Holdings, the
prospective buyer was taken on as a client and they signed a legally binding contract that
confirmed the prospective buyer would make a secure $1.5 million USD deposit at
Barclays Wealth Bank, Geneva for LHL Concepts and in return LHL Concepts would
provide $40 million USD to the developer’s banks to settle the sale. Also in the contract
was a description of the services provided by LHL Concepts’ “Introducer” along with a
fee of $450, 000 USD to be paid him for his introduction. Later correspondence would
describe him as a client and project recruiter for LHL Concepts. After CFO Ian
Williamson requested an extension, it was agreed that final payment and settlement of the
contract of sale would take place on 30 April 2010. By September 2010, despite
assurances in writing to the contrary, LHL Concepts still had not produced the $40
million USD promised. The sale collapsed and Julian Bulman and Ian Williamson
disappeared, but not empty handed. They took with them $250, 000 USD of the
prospective buyer’s secured deposit, an amount “loaned” to them by Ian Williamson’s
reported friends at Barclays Wealth Bank, Geneva: Mr James Perrse and Mr Oliver
Grinn. The buyer was not contacted by the Bank to request permission to release the
funds, and this the buyer believes, was the purpose of the entire masquerade: to steal as
much of his deposit as possible and disappear. The buyer advises that the developer,
whose building went into Administration as a result of their actions, also believes that it
was a scam, as do their banks.
Outcome
Anthony McIlwain still continues to aggressively pursue payment of the $450, 000 USD
introduction fee, despite the collapse of the contract, and in such questionable
circumstances. He told the prospective buyer that Mr Bulman promised he would get
paid. Mr McIlwain indeed tried to insist on payment prior to settlement. The buyer has
reportedly told him he will not get anything, and has referred this matter to the Australian
Federal Police, as well as his missing $250, 000 USD. Barclays Wealth Bank, Geneva did
refund the remainder of his deposit, but told him he must pursue LHL Concepts for a
return of the “loan” money. He did try this, and initially was assured it would be
refunded, but now both Mr Bulman and Mr Williamson, those close associates of
Anthony McIlwain’s, have gone missing and do not reply to any emails. The buyer says
that Mr McIlwain is now “trying to distance himself” from LHL Concepts/Leybourne
Holdings, but he wonders if Mr McIlwain ended up with any of his $250, 000 USD