Fairfax Media can also reveal a prominent underworld figure is protecting Mr Duchini from angry creditors who are attempting to recoup cash and a a fleet of missing luxury cars following the collapse of his business in April.

Mr Duchini is also under police investigation over allegations he ran a series of scams from his Moorabbin dealership that targeted wealthy customers, business associates and long-time friends.

The 61-year-old, who has previous criminal convictions for ‘‘recklessly inducing investment’’, is accused of misappropriating money from sales, using customers’ cars as collateral for personal loans, and avoiding stamp duty and the luxury car tax.

A number of clients connected to Melbourne’s underworld were burned in the collapse, with one recently threatening to ‘‘catch up with Maurie real soon’’ after learning Mr Duchini had used his $250,000 sports car to secure a personal loan from a prominent property developer.

Carlton Crew boss Mick Gatto has denied he was involved in shielding Mr Duchini from victims of his alleged elaborate scam.

‘‘There’s no truth to that at all,’’ Mr Gatto said. ‘‘Maurie has been a friend of mine for a long time, but he hasn’t asked me for help in any way shape or form. I don’t know what he’s done, but if he needs my help he only has to ask.’’

Mr Gatto has a reputation as one of the city’s most feared and respected ‘‘dispute mediators’’ and debt collectors.

Mr Gatto had previously been asked by a prominent Melbourne business figure to recover a car from Mr Duchini after he failed to hand-over more than $400,000 from a Rolls-Royce sold on consignment.

Fairfax Media understands Mr Duchini will face the Magistrates Court next month after a Consumer Affairs Victoria investigation found he has been illegally selling cars on consignment despite losing his licence to trade in April.

‘‘He’s been calling around trying to find a $280,000 Range Rover for a buyer. He hasn’t stopped, not at all,’’ an industry source said.

Corporate liquidators are chasing more than $4 million in debts associated with Mr Duchini’s business, Brents Prestige World. But it is understood that at least another $10 million in losses have not been reported by creditors unwilling to come forward after being caught up in the alleged scams.

This includes disgraced businessman Geoffrey Edelsten, who was recently forced to admit under oath in a US bankruptcy court that Mr Duchini owed him at least $2.7 million. Sources say the debt is actually more than $7 million.

Liquidators have also been searching for the whereabouts and ‘‘true ownership’’ of at least 30 luxury cars that could not be located when the dealership failed. Fairfax Media understands a number of these cars were stored in a warehouse in Melbourne’s south-east until they were moved about three weeks ago.

Mr Duchini, who did not respond to a request for comment, has allegdly been telling clients and investors they would get their money back if they were patient.

Earlier this year, Mr Duchini sold his family home in Brighton – which was registered in his wife’s name – for $2.37 million but several disgruntled creditors say they did not receive the share of the proceeds they were allegedly promised.

Creditors say they are now closely watching the listing for sale of a $1.45 million holiday home jointly owned by Mr Duchini’s wife and his brother, Serg, a partner at prestige accountancy firm Deloitte.

cvedelago@theage.com.au