25 January 2019 – Credit Card Fraud – North Brighton
Published January 28, 2019 | 
Police are currently searching for a man and who used a stolen credit card in liquor outlets on Tuesday (January 22).
Police allege the man found a lost credit card and used it to make purchases in North Brighton, about 1.20pm.
Investigators have release an image of a man they hope will be able to assist with their enquiries.
The man is perceived to be caucasian in appearance, wearing a distinctive “Boss” baseball cap and was wearing a ring on his left hand.
14 December 2018 – Arrest – $1.5M Fraud – Parramatta
Published December 14, 2018 | A solicitor has been charged after allegedly defrauding nearly $1.5 million from his clients that was to be held in a trust account.
Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Moonmerri to investigate the misappropriation of clients’ funds held in trust between 2009 and 2013.
Following extensive inquiries, a 55-year-old man was arrested at Parramatta Police Station at 6pm yesterday (Thursday 13 December 2018), where he was charged with 43 counts of fraud.
Police will allege in court that the man was misappropriating funds that were to be held in trust from clients of his business, based in Sydney’s Northern Beaches area.
The man was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Thursday 24 January 2019.
27 September 2018 – Arrests – Fraud – Cryptocurrency Laundering – Wiley Park
Published September 27, 2018 | Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a couple as part of an ongoing investigation into identity fraud and cryptocurrency laundering.
In March 2018, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Breabank to investigate purchases being made online using stolen and fraudulently obtained credit card information.
Further inquiries revealed 45 companies had been opened, as well as numerous bank accounts, which were receiving cash deposits, which investigators will allege were proceeds of crime.
Police will further allege in court more than $300,000 was transferred to digital currency and distributed into cryptocurrency accounts offshore.
Following extensive investigations, Strike Force Breabank detectives, assisted by the Public Order and Riot Squad, executed a search warrant at a Wiley Park home about 6.30am today (Thursday 27 September 2018).
During the search, police seized computers, laptops, electronic storage devices, mobile phones, and documentation.
A 32-year-old man and a 29-year-old woman were arrested at the home and taken to Campsie Police Station.
The man was charged with 35 fraud-related offences, six identification fraud-related offences, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Burwood Local Court tomorrow (Friday 28 September 2018).
The woman was charged with 12 fraud-related offences.
She was granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 9 October 2018.
Police are also conducting inquiries with Australian Border Force in relation to the couple’s immigration status.
Investigations under Strike Force Breabank are ongoing.
Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said cryptocurrencies pose a significant challenge for law enforcement both here and abroad.
“The semi-anonymous and decentralised nature of many cryptocurrencies make it desirable for criminal activity, particularly for those groups who are operating offshore,” Det Sup Katsoginannis said.
“While there are various levels of regulation across the globe, cryptocurrency exchanges in Australia come under the scrutiny of AUSTRAC, which strengthens our capability to monitor and investigate illicit transactions.
“The sharing of financial intelligence and information of all currencies can only help to minimise the risk of criminal groups conducting ‘business’ without detection.”
20 September 2018 – Fraud – Fake $50 Notes – Launceston
Published September 21, 2018 | Launceston CIB are investigating 16 incidents of Chinese training money being tendered to businesses in the Launceston area recently.
The fake notes give the appearance of being legal $50 notes but are distinctively fake and have prominent blue coloured Chinese characters printed on both sides across the transparent window, and they do not have serial numbers.
“Police are asking businesses to be vigilant for these fake $50 notes and to contact police if they have information as to who is tendering the fake notes,” said Detective Senior Constable Dean Logan.
Please check your bank notes, particularly $50 notes, and if you think you have a suspect note:
- Handle the note as little as possible and store it in an envelope.
- Check your CCTV if you know who presented the notes and supply a copy of your CCTV to police when reporting the matter.
- Note any relevant information, such as how it came into your possession, a description of the person who passed it, any companion(s) and any vehicle used.
- Contact police on 131444.
6 September 2018 – Arrest – Fraud – Counterfeit Notes – Berwick
Published September 7, 2018 | Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives have arrested two people following an investigation into the alleged manufacturing and use of counterfeit notes.
Detectives executed a search warrant at a Berwick address this morning (6 September) and seized items including counterfeit notes, a credit card and electrical equipment.
A man and woman were arrested at the scene.
The 41-year-old Berwick man was charged with 23 counts of obtain property by deception.
He appeared at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court today and has been bailed to reappear on 13 September.
A 39-year-old Berwick woman was charged with four counts of obtain property by deception and has been bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 9 November.
6 July 2018 – Arrests – Deceased Estate Fraud – Moonta
Published July 13, 2018 | Detectives from Major Fraud have arrested a man and woman following a lengthy investigation.
It will be alleged late 2016 a man and woman committed fraud by dishonestly dealing with documents and laundering money relating to a deceased estate involving a significant amount of money.
Wednesday 4 July the man and woman were arrested and charged.
The 52-year-old man from Moonta was charged with dishonestly dealing with documents and aggravated theft while the 30-year-old woman also from Moonta was charged with theft and money laundering.
They have both been bailed to the Adelaide Magistrates Court on 27 November.
7 June 2018 – ID Fraud – CCTV Released – Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne
Published June 8, 2018 | Detectives from the Fraud and Extortion Squad have released CCTV and images of a woman they wish to speak to in relation to a scam where several hundred thousand dollars were stolen.
It’s believed the scam starts with the victim’s personal details being obtained and fraudulent identification being manufactured in the name of the victim.
This enables the offenders to do a number of things including re-directing mail from the victim’s address, ordering new bank cards and changing bank account details.
Between 11 and 26 April this year, a woman attended several eastern suburbs banks and ATM locations in suburbs including Doncaster East, Bulleen, Balwyn, Blackburn, Box Hill, Kew and Templestowe.
While at the banks, she used a fake Chinese passport to conduct a number of administrative changes.
On 24 April she attended a bank in Kew and transferred a significant amount of cash out of the victim’s account.
On 26 April she attended a different bank in Bulleen and attempted to transfer money from a second, separate victim’s account.
This second transaction was processed but subsequently reversed shortly after when the victim became aware and contacted the bank.
Detectives from the Fraud and Extortion Squad are investigating the incidents and have released CCTV of a woman they wish to speak to in relation to both matters.
Investigators are also urging people to be aware of the scam as it’s believed the victims are highly targeted.
On both occasions the victims, who are of Chinese heritage and live in the eastern suburbs, were overseas at the time of the offence.
The offenders had also managed to obtain their personal details, including date of birth, address and bank account data.
Offenders do not appear to be targeting customers of any specific bank, instead they appear to be targeting victims of Chinese background in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
Police are urging people to be aware of the scam and ensure any fraudulent activity is reported to police for investigation.
Anyone who notices any unusual transactions on their account should also speak to their bank.
This includes instances where you would regularly receive mail but haven’t for some time, or if you receive any letters from Australia Post regarding re-direction service that you haven’t authorised.
People should also be wary of unusual letters from organisations such as banks as this could be the pre-cursor to the scam occurring.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Natalie Webster
Media Officer
68908
6 June 2018 – Fraud – $150,000 – Contracts – Newcastle
Published June 8, 2018 | Police have charged a man in relation to fraud offences worth more than $150, 000 which have allegedly been committed since December 2017 until February 2018.
Police will allege a 36-year-old man has fraudulently completed several contracts with people who had no knowledge that he was using their details.
The property allegedly fraudulently obtained included tickets and merchandise worth more than
$150, 000.
About 2pm (Tuesday 5 June 2018), officers from Newcastle City Police District arrested a 36-year-old man at his Maryland’s home.
He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with five counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and an outstanding conviction warrant fraud related.
He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today (Wednesday 6 June 2018).
1 June 2018 – Fraud – Business Email Compromise Scam – Alice Springs
Published June 1, 2018 | Northern Territory Police are urging businesses to update their anti-virus software and beware of an invoice email scam after one man lost $50,000.
It is alleged the man reported the theft on May 22 to Alice Springs Police after one of his clients raised attention regarding an invoice payment redirection.
“It appears the man’s email has been compromised and the offenders have continued to use his business tax invoices and request payment from existing clients into a new account, said Senior Constable King Sun
“The man was completely unaware of the email requests and conversations between the offenders and his clients via email until one of his clients ended up raising the issue of payment redirection with him.
“Two clients paid significant sums of cash into an account, which is likely an account of either a knowing or unwitting Money Mule.”
The scam is called a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam and involved scammers presenting to be legitimate suppliers advising of changes to payment arrangements.
“As our daily workings essentially evolve more around online systems, I cannot stress enough to people to become aware and ensure they have adequate anti-viral software installed and updates to prevent becoming a victim, said Senior Constable Sun
“It’s also a timely reminder that while email and texting are fantastic ways of communicating, if you have any concerns regarding payment then it may pay to raise in a verbal discussion.”
Business owners can take control by:
- Activate the Two-factor authentication: so you are alerted to any attempts to gain access to your personal and business accounts by anyone else other than you.
- If you think you’re accounts have been hacked – change all passwords on email accounts and computers.
- Install a good security package on their computers/devices and regularly install any updates
- Email your client base regarding any future emails they receive about change of bank details and tell them to call you to discuss, clarify and confirm details are not a scam.
- If you believe your personal details have been accessed by someone other than you, contact ID Care at www.idcare.org.au or call ID Care on 1300 432 273
The incident remains under investigation by Alice Springs Police.
Anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to scammers or if they believe their email/online accounts have been compromised are urged to report it online to ACORN the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network at www.acorn.gov.au
11 May 2018 – Fraud – Retail Store – Surry Hills
Published May 11, 2018 | Police have charged a man over allegedly defrauding a Surry Hills retail store of more than $120,000.
Detectives from Surry Hills Police Area Command commenced an investigation after a retail store in Wentworth Avenue reported more than $120,000 had been allegedly fraudulently stolen between March 2017 and February 2018.
It will be alleged in court a male employee made numerous unauthorised refunds from the store – totalling $120,233.89 – and transferred the money into his personal accounts.
Following inquiries, a 48-year-old man was arrested at Surry Hills Police Station about 3pm yesterday (Thursday 10 May 2018).
He was charged with two counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and granted conditional bail to appear before Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 14 June 2018.
