A twice-bankrupt Australian man, who styled himself as an ‘admiral’, has been exposed for allegedly orchestrating a fraudulent international rescue fleet scheme. Peter Cowell, a resident of New South Wales, managed to secure meetings with Fiji’s current Prime Minister in his quest for support of his so-called International Sea/Air Rescue (IntSAR) initiative, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reports.
Cowell, who has never served in the navy, claimed to have amassed hundreds of millions in funding for the project, leaving several would-be supporters out of pocket by thousands of dollars. While he did serve briefly in the Army Reserves, his military experience was limited to weekends. Despite repeated requests, Cowell did not respond to inquiries for comment.
The IntSAR Scheme: A Closer Look
For over 25 years, Cowell has been promoting IntSAR as a 14-fleet maritime aid force, purportedly headquartered in an island nation to provide assistance to those in need. However, his whereabouts are currently unknown, with speculation placing him in Thailand or Western Australia.
In 2022, Cowell met with Sitiveni Rabuka, then the opposition leader of Fiji, who later became Prime Minister. The meeting, attended by key Fijian officials and another IntSAR representative, Joel, focused on establishing a base of operations in the region. Joel, who had been involved with IntSAR for four years, eventually grew disillusioned with the scheme.
“We did this pitch to a lot of people, really,” Joel said, reflecting on the numerous presentations made to secure support.
Failed Promises and Financial Missteps
The Fijian government arranged a second meeting with Cowell after Rabuka’s election, but it never materialized due to Cowell’s inability to return to Fiji from Thailand. Despite claims of securing $800 million from 30 member nations, the scheme required an annual $25 million “donation” from member nations, which would be waived if Fiji provided land for its headquarters.
In Australia, Cowell attempted to garner interest from the Federal Coalition government in 2021, proposing that the Morrison Government support IntSAR as the primary diplomatic sponsor. He also pitched the idea to various Australian government bodies, including a proposal to transform land at Bathurst airport into a private airport and training facility.
Former NSW Police detective Peter Hogan, offered a lucrative position within IntSAR, expressed skepticism: “I think I’ll just frame it and hang it up on the wall because I won’t see the size of that contract in my life again.”
The Scheme’s Collapse and Aftermath
IntSAR’s downfall began when UK podcaster Sarah Ferris launched an investigation, fearing Cowell had secured substantial donations under false pretenses. Her findings led to a “mutiny” among IntSAR’s volunteers, resulting in Cowell’s ousting and the project’s dissolution.
Joel, once a staunch supporter, claims to have lost over $30,000, covering expenses related to the Fiji meeting. Cowell’s subsequent demands for money led Joel to sever ties.
“After that, it was just a constant stream of, ‘I need another few grand here’, ‘I need another $100 there’,” Joel recounted. “And [it got] to the point where I just said, ‘No, enough’s enough. I need to see something.’ And then he vanished.”
Stolen Valor and Legal Implications
Mr. Cowell’s self-appointment as an ‘admiral’ has raised concerns over potential misrepresentations of military rank, known as “stolen valor.” Under Australian law, such offenses can result in fines or imprisonment. RSL Australia has condemned false claims of military service and urged reporting to authorities.
With a history of bankruptcies and legal issues dating back to the 1990s, Cowell’s financial troubles have been well-documented. Despite being discharged from bankruptcy, his ventures, including the first iteration of IntSAR, have repeatedly failed.
Paul Grant, a former co-director of IntSAR, noted, “The company’s position was untenable,” citing financial mismanagement under Cowell’s leadership.
Where Is Cowell Now?
Since IntSAR’s collapse, Cowell has shifted focus to other ventures, including real estate and angel investing schemes in Thailand. Recent videos show him promoting properties and seeking financial assistance for writing projects.
The ABC’s attempts to contact Cowell have been unsuccessful, leaving many questions about his current activities unanswered. As investigations continue, the story of Peter Cowell serves as a cautionary tale of ambition, deception, and the consequences of fraudulent schemes.
