A Melbourne man who pretended to be an authorised celebrant and performed fake ceremonies solemnising five invalid marriages has pleaded guilty to impersonating a commonwealth officer.
Australian federal police said the 31-year-old pretended to be a celebrant while defrauding five couples of $700 to $1,000 each for his marriage services between March 2022 and April 2023.
“The fake celebrant illegally solemnised the marriages of five couples in Victoria on their respective wedding days during the same period,” the force said. “All marriages performed by the offender are considered invalid.”
