Hohepa Morehu-Barlow is tonight in Australian custody.
He's charged with embezzling $21 million from the Queensland Health Board where he worked as a finance manager.
He was known to his friends as Joel. He lived a lavish lifestyle on a public servants' wage, but no one thought to ask as he claimed he was part of the Tahitian and Maori royal families.
The Maori royals maybe true. He is from Hauraki, the northern end of Tainui, which is affiliated to the royal family - although not likely to deliver the riches he's been living on.
Family today are shocked the cousin they knew as Joey was living this lifestyle. He grew up in Thames, his dad drives trucks and his brother works at a recycling station.
Last week he purchased a $5.6 million property river front apartment in Brisbane and paid the deposit in cash.
Joel’s friend, fashion designer, Marc Adamson, who until a few days ago knew nothing of Morehu-Barlow's offending, spoke to John Campbell.
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