The Block’s Omar and Oz break their silence on claims they had “Mr. Lambo” asked to be a bogus bidder: “Couldn’t be further from the truth”
Half of The Block’s winning team has dealt with unsubstantiated claims that they used a bogus bidder to inflate the price of their winning house.
Some viewers have accused Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Malik of asking their boyfriend Adrian Portelli, an online advertising guru with a net worth of $8 million, to bid on their house in order to pressure eventual buyer Danny Wallis to do so to pay a higher price.
But Omar told Fitzy and Wippa on Monday that “couldn’t be further from the truth”.
Half of The Block’s winning team have dealt with unsubstantiated claims that they used a “dummy bidder” to inflate the price of their winning house. (Pictured: Omar Slaimankhel and Oz Malik)
“The rumor has it that Adrian Portelli… was actually a bogus bidder. Although registered, he only pushed the price up,” says radio host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli.
Omar denied that was the case and also downplayed her friendship with Portelli.
“We reached out to everyone Oz and I knew. We asked so many people to come and see the house,” he said.
Some viewers have accused Omar and Oz of asking their boyfriend Adrian Portelli (left, in white t-shirt) to bid on their home in the Macedon Ranges in exchange for eventual buyer Danny Wallis (second right, in flat cap) to urge you to pay a higher price
“We actually reached out to a mutual friend and they propose this to him [Portelli] might be interested and he wanted to look at the house.
“And when he came he absolutely loved it,” Omar continued. “He said he loved the view from our house.”
Wipfli then asked if Portelli had the money to buy the house, to which Omar replied: “He’s very, very, very, very successful. He has many businesses. He’s just a very, very successful businessman.”
Eccentric millionaire Wallis (left) ended up paying $5,666,666 for House 5
The Block 2022 lists
HOUSE 1 – Tom and Sarah-Jane
Stunning architectural design meets luxurious country living.
Address: 191 McGeorge Road, Gisborne VIC 3437
Listing: 5 beds, 3 baths.
Target price: $4 to $4.4 million
SOLD FOR: $4,100,000.99
HOUSE 2 – Rachel and Ryan
Luxury lodge country living is at the heart of this magnificent state-of-the-art winery.
Address: 197 McGeorge Road, Gisborne VIC 3437
Listing: 5 beds, 3 baths
Target price: $4 to $4.4 million
SOLD FOR: $4,250,000
HOUSE 3 – Sharon and Ankur
‘Gunyah’ – Luxurious country living with spectacular mountain views.
Address: 223 McGeorge Road, Gisborne VIC 3437
Listing: 5 beds, 3 baths
Target price: $4 to $4.4 million
NOT SOLD
HOUSE 4 – Dylan and Jenny
Space, views and luxurious country living.
Address: 225 McGeorge Road, Gisborne VIC 3437
Listing: 5 bed, 3 bath Price Guide: $4 million to $4.4 million
NOT SOLD
HOUSE 5 – Omar and Oz
Sustainable luxury lifestyle.
Address: 241 McGeorge Road, Gisborne VIC 3437
Listing: 5 beds, 3 baths
Target price: $4 to $4.4 million
SOLD FOR: $5,666,666
Portelli has also spoken out about the controversy on auction day, taking to Instagram late Sunday night to deny claims that he was conspiring with Omar and Oz to inflate the price.
“For anyone questioning the legitimacy of the auction, I was a genuine buyer with full intentions to purchase this property,” the businessman said.
“No one is to blame for what happened. It’s an auction. Believe it or not, when you have two people who really want the property, a bidding war is going to start.’
“I’m happy to show my bank account to anyone who suspects these are bogus bids,” he concluded.
Portelli (left) has also spoken out about the controversy on auction day, taking to Instagram late Sunday night to deny claims he was conspiring with Omar and Oz to inflate the price
“For anyone questioning the legitimacy of the auction, I was a genuine buyer with full intentions to purchase this property,” the businessman said