9 November 2016 – Fraud – $129million – Horse Race Punting Club
Published November 11, 2016 | 
Fraud and Extortion Squad detectives have charged a man following alleged fraudulent activity connected to a horse racing punting club.
Investigators allege $129 million dollars was fraudulently obtained between 2008 and 2013.
A 51-year-old man has been charged with more than 300 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
He will appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 23 November.
23 October 2016 – CC Fraud – Financial Institution – Port Adelaide
Published October 28, 2016 | Police believe the missing man – who has likely been murdered – was linked with the fraudulent use of a debit card which was ultimately used to steal $6.326 million from a bank account held by the Bank of East Asia.
Photographs: ATM vision of Mr Au
Mr Au was reported missing 18 months after the images were captured by police officers from the Major Fraud Section who were investigating his suspected involvement in the theft.
Despite extensive inquiries in South Australia and other States and Territories, the last confirmed contact with Mr Au, who was born in Vietnam but moved to South Australia when he was aged 14, was when he rang a friend from his mobile phone at 12.54pm on 15 August 2000.
Just minutes before that call investigators know that Mr Au used the stolen bank debit card to withdraw $6,000 from a National Australia Bank (NAB) ATM in Port Adelaide.
Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins, from Major Crime, said this unauthorised withdrawal of cash was just a small piece in the jigsaw puzzle of this case which has been investigated by experts from both the SA Police Major Fraud and Major Crime sections.
The debit card at the centre of the matter was stolen in Brisbane on 19 May 2000 from a student from Hong Kong. Because of a computer processing error, the stolen card was able to be used to make unlimited cash withdrawals from NAB ATMs.
The first unauthorised transaction occurred on 28 July 2000, and in total prior to 15 August, Mr Au was recorded on security cameras on 41 occasions conducting 465 transactions.
The last of those were the ones conducted on 15 August, when Mr Au made 12 transactions – the last recorded at 12:35pm. By that time about $396,000 had been stolen from the bank account.
After that date, three other people are recorded on ATM security cameras using the card to withdraw funds from the account.
On 19 October 2000, the NAB became aware of the unauthorised transactions being conducted using the stolen card and the card was retained by an ATM at the Tea Tree Plaza Shopping Centre during an attempted transaction.
“That’s when police were first advised of this matter and began a full investigation,” Detective Inspector Hutchins said.
“We believe that between 28 July 2000 and 19 October 2000 the stolen card was used 6,797 times to withdraw a total of $6,326,320.00, principally in $50 notes from NAB ATMs. “
In November that year police searched 16 Adelaide addresses as part of the investigation and found about $4.07 million in cash under the floorboards of the main bedroom of a property in Kitchener Street, Kilburn.
Four people were arrested and charged with offences relating to the use of the stolen card and the theft of the $6.326 million, however despite extensive inquiries, Mr Au (pictured below) has never been located.
“We know that until 5 August 2000, Mr Au was residing at Rosewater Lodge in Rosewater, but we also have information – supplied anonymously via Crime Stoppers – that he was staying at the Kitchener St address where the cash was found,” Detective Inspector Hutchins said.
“We believe this case is solvable – we only need one final piece of information from the right caller to finally fit the full jigsaw puzzle together.
“This case is being reviewed as part of Operation Persist, the Major Crime-led cold case campaign, and as part of that has been featured in the Sunday Mail today.
“There is a $200,000 reward available in connection with this case – not just for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible, but for the recovery of Mr Au’s remains.
“His family and friends are entitled to know what became of their loved one and we are appealing for help in bringing some resolution to this matter.”
27 October 2016 – Fraud – Bank – South Melbourne
Published October 28, 2016 | Detectives from Port Phillip Crime Investigation Unit have arrested a man today following an alleged $1M theft from a South Melbourne bank.
Police have been told a man attended the bank in August this year with a false Chinese passport and arranged to transfer and withdraw $1M.
A 22-year-old Malaysian national was arrested this morning in the Melbourne CBD following the execution of two search warrants.
He is currently being interviewed by police.
27 May 2016 – Fraud – Banking – $450,000 – Dundas Valley
Published May 27, 2016 | A man has been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged banking fraud.
Strike Force Cottenham is a joint investigation by the State Crime Command’s Fraud & Cybercrime Squad and the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
The strike force was formed in December 2014 to investigate large-scale fraud offences committed against financial institutions involving internet bank accounts.
Following extensive inquiries, a 19-year-old man was arrested at a home in Dundas Valley yesterday (Thursday 26 May 2016).
He was taken to Parramatta Police Station and charged with two counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, knowingly directing activities of a criminal group, and using a false document.
Police will allege he submitted a fraudulent form to gain unauthorised access to bank accounts and withdrew a total of almost $450,000.
He has been granted bail and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Wednesday 20 July 2016
Inquiries by Strike Force Cottenham detectives continue and further arrests are expected to be made.
To date, 41 people have been charged by the strike force, with more than 436 offences.
Investigators are also warning the public, especially students and foreign nationals, who may be approached to take part in these offences that they face significant penalties, criminal convictions, and terms of imprisonment.
16 February 2016 – Arrest – $200,000 Fraud – ACT
Published February 19, 2016 | A 48-year-old Sydney man will appear in the Downing Centre Local court today (Tuesday 16 February) following an investigation into allegations of fraud.
It will be alleged in court that the man used his position in a government agency to unlawfully transfer more than $200,000 from a trust account.
The man was charged by Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers with theft from a Commonwealth Agency contrary to s131.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995.
This offence carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.
In addition to this charge, on 12 January 2016, the Commissioner of the AFP obtained a restraining order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) over specified property owned by the man.
15 October 2015 – Construction Fraud – Parramatta
Published October 16, 2015 | A man has been charged after allegedly defrauding building contractors and suppliers across Sydney since 2012.
Detectives from State Crime Command’s Fraud & Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Sepal to investigate fraudulent activity following the insolvency of Saferway Constructions Pty Ltd.
Police will allege in court that a new company was established to avoid liabilities incurred, to gain financial advantage and to defraud numerous building sub-contractors and building material suppliers.
Following extensive inquiries, a man was arrested at Parramatta Police Station today (Thursday 15 October 2015).
He was charged with seven counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception and make false document to obtain financial advantage.
He has been granted strict conditional bail and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 12 November 2015.
As their inquiries continue, Strike Force detectives are appealing for anyone who may have information relevant to the investigation to come forward.
13 October 2015 – Fraud – $400,000 – Office Manager – North Sydney
Published October 16, 2015 | A 51-year-old office manager has been arrested by Fraud and Cybercrime Squad detectives in relation to alleged frauds of more than $400,000 against the company for whom she worked.
Police will allege that between November 2013 and February 2014, a total of $418,477.22 in paid invoices was fraudulently transferred to a number of personal bank accounts.
A laptop was also allegedly purchased for personal purposes using the company’s business account.
The matter was reported to police with investigations conducted by the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad’s Corporate Corruption Team.
Earlier today (Tuesday 13 October 2015), detectives arrested the woman at North Sydney Police Station.
She was charged with 19 counts of fraud and granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday 6 November 2015.
9 September 2015 – Employee Fraud – $300K – Horticulture Business – Sydney
Published September 11, 2015 | A man has been charged for defrauding his employer of more than $300,000.
In July of this year, a manager at a Sydney-based horticulture business noticed some inconsistencies in invoices that had been submitted by one of their staff.
Internal inquiries were conducted and led to the discovery of $328,000 in incorrectly and falsely claimed expenses.
Police from Sydney City Local Area Command were notified and commenced an investigation into the matter.
Following police inquiries, a 33-year-old man attended Sydney City Police Station yesterday (Tuesday 8 September 2015).
He was arrested and charged with fraud, before being granted conditional bail to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on 7 October 2015.
In court, police will allege the man spent the money on a personal business interest, completely separate from his role at the horticulture business.
2 July 2015 – Credit Card Fraud – Convenience Stores – Melbourne Inner Suburbs
Published July 3, 2015 | Detectives at Moonee Valley Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for public assistance to identify a man allegedly using a stolen credit card in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.
Police have been told a car was broken into on Carnarvon Road in Strathmore on Sunday 21 June and the victim’s bankcard was stolen.
Investigators believe the stolen credit card was later used at a number of convenience stores in Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Collingwood and Fitzroy.
The offender is described as Caucasian in appearance, with a medium build and brown hair.
He was wearing a black beanie with a white logo on the front, blue hooded jacket, dark pants and white shoes.
He was also carrying a backpack at the time of the incidents.
Police have released an image of a man that may assist with their enquiries.
1 July 2015 – Credit Card Fraud – Service Station – Mernda
Published July 3, 2015 | Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to help identify a man who used a stolen credit card at Mernda last month.
The incident happened at a service station on Plenty Road on Monday, 15 June just after 6am.
Investigators have been told a man drove into the service station and filled his car with petrol.
After filling his car, the man walked into the shop area of the service station and purchased cigarettes.
He paid for his purchases with a credit card which subsequently turned out to be stolen.
The man is described as being aged in his mid-20s, with a medium build.
At the time of the offence he was wearing a black beanie and dark clothing.
Police have released two images of a man who they believe can assist with their enquiries.
