Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged five people and seized four luxury vehicles worth over $600,000 as part of an investigation into fraudulent loan applications allegedly submitted to obtain the vehicles.
Investigators will allege those involved were using fraudulent identity documents to submit loan applications to financial institutions to purchase high end vehicle which were then on sold for profit.
Over the course of the six-month investigation, four luxury vehicles have been seized, including:
• An Audi RS7 valued at $219,880
• A Toyota Landcruiser valued at $144,990
• A Land Rover Defender $159,990
• A Mercedes Benz C Class AMG valued at $98,000.
Police yesterday executed search warrants in Wollert.
A 54-year-old Wollert woman was charged with two counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 28-year-old Wollert man was charged with two counts knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime.
The duo was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 3 February.
A 27-year-old Donnybrook man was charged with three counts of knowingly deal with the proceeds of crime. He will be summonsed to a filing hearing.
Four search warrants were previously executed in Wollert on 5 November 2024, Tullamarine and Craigieburn on 15 November 2024 and Donnybrook on 13 December 2024.
A 26-year-old Wollert man was charged 1 January with obtaining financial advantage by deception.
A 23-year-old Roxburgh Park man was charged on 1 January with obtaining financial advantage by deception.
The duo will appear at Broadmeadows' Magistrates Court on 12 May.
Anyone with information on fraudulent activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Detective Sergeant Thomas McGowan, Financial Crime Squad:
"These people were living an extravagant lifestyle on stolen funds. Not only were they gaining profit from the loans, but they were also further ripping people off by selling vehicles that had been purchased as proceeds of crime.
"What could have been someone's dream car has turned out to be a nightmare."
