Property damage linked to mums accused of Brisbane restaurant scams and theft

A group of mums accused of scamming restaurants and stealing from small supermarkets may have also been responsible for damaging four Brisbane properties.

A group of mums accused of scamming up-market restaurants and stealing from supermarkets may have also trashed four brand-new apartments in Brisbane.

Landlord Clara Carmichael said she immediately recognised the women, who had thick Irish accents, as former tenants who stayed in her properties, news.com.au reports.

She told Seven News they left a trail of destruction as they fled the property in the middle of the night, including leaving holes in the walls and clogging a toilet with potatoes.

"There was writing on the wall, the damage was just immense," she said. "They also terrorised the other tenants in the building. People were scared to come in and out."

They also allegedly sent abusive text messages. "You people do not know how to run a business," one read.

"You stupid Australian pieces of s**t," said another.

Ms Carmichael believes this is the same group that's been accused of stealing from small businesses and skipping the bill at up-market restaurants.

Earlier this week, the owner of a Brisbane grocery store claimed the women had pilfered at least $100 worth of groceries from his store.

He also said that, far from being cash strapped, one of the women had "wads of $50 notes in their bra".

The "boisterous" posse, often with kids in tow, have also been linked to the theft of expensive heels from a luxury goods store.

They also reportedly "ran amok" in restaurants and cafes as part of the ploy to get staff, at the end of their tethers, to let them off the bill.

In one case, they allegedly placed glass in a meal and then demanding a refund.

On Thursday, Queensland Police told news.com.au that they suspected far more businesses than had previously come forward had been affected by the alleged scammers who, it's claimed, have netted free feeds, alcohol and cigarettes.