"He offered no explanation and made no attempt to repay the funds." — Justice Ashley Black
Nahi Gazal Jailed for Contempt After $6 Million Vanishes from Frozen Accounts
Nahi Gazal, a 61-year-old businessman with a prior history of bankruptcy and imprisonment for financial crimes, has been jailed for contempt of court. The Supreme Court of New South Wales found that Gazal breached freezing orders obtained by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in 2020, allowing more than $6 million to be drained from his bank accounts.
The Breach and Its Aftermath
Gazal signed a settlement deed with the ATO in 2023, acknowledging tax liabilities exceeding $44 million. The ATO later agreed to accept $18 million, with $6 million in company accounts to be paid.
The bank accounts were subsequently emptied, and Gazal was found to have breached court orders in 2024. Liquidator Stephen Hathway stated that Gazal's entities allegedly submitted fraudulent invoices and never conducted any development activity.
The ATO's Allegations
The ATO alleged that Gazal claimed over $23 million in GST input tax credits from 2017 to 2020 using fabricated invoices, resulting in more than $21 million in GST refunds.
Contempt and Indefinite Detention
Gazal was taken into custody in May 2026 after failing to repay the funds within a 21-day deadline set by Justice Ashley Black. Justice Black noted that Gazal offered no explanation for his actions and made no attempt to repay the funds, committing him to indefinite detention until he purges the contempt.
Gazal declared bankruptcy after draining the accounts, but the court found no evidence he lacked access to the funds.
Legal Representation and Appeal
Gazal's wife, fashion designer Rabiaa (Ruby) Samadi, was appointed his tutor. He is appealing the contempt charges.
Background: A Pattern of Financial Misconduct
- In early 2024, Gazal unsuccessfully sought to lift a travel ban imposed by the ATO, claiming he needed urgent medical treatment in Slovenia.
- The ATO informed the court that Gazal had previously been imprisoned for 10 months in 2017 and 10 months in 2013 for financial crimes, and had been fined $1,100 for failing to furnish an approved form.
- Gazal was previously known as the "Caravan Conman" after complaints from caravan customers in the early 2000s, leading to bankruptcy and a five-year director ban.
- He is the uncle of Nicole Gazal O'Neil (a cast member of Real Housewives of Sydney) and of property developers Nicholas and Nabil Gazal Jnr. , who were found by ICAC in 2016 to have evaded electoral funding laws (no charges were laid).
Upcoming Hearing
The matter is scheduled to return to court on May 25, 2026.