Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged five 'money mules' responsible for moving millions of dollars which were allegedly fraudulently obtained.
Strike Force Downstream was established by State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad – with the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3) – into a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in moving approximately $3 million fraudulent money by purchasing untraceable commodities such as gold bullion and jewellery.
Detectives identified some of the fraudulent funds being moved by the group were alleged to be proceeds of Business Email Compromises (BEC) – which is when an offender gains access to a corporate email account to impersonate the real owner and defraud the company, its customers, partners and employees.
Following extensive inquiries, about 6am on Thursday 7 March 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Raptor Squad and officers attached to the Operational Support Group – executed three search warrants in Lakemba, Greenacre, and Doonside.
At the Lakemba address, detectives arrested an 18-year-old woman and 27-year-old man, who were taken to Campsie Police Station.
The woman was charged with two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group. The man was charged with three counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group.
Both were refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court on Friday 8 March 2024.
In Greenacre, police arrested a 25-year-old man. He was taken to Bankstown Police Station and charged with nine offences, including knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime $100000, participate in a criminal group, possess unauthorised pistol, and three counts of possess or use a prohibited weapon without permit.
The man was refused bail and appeared before Bankstown Local Court the same day.
A third person – a 27-year-old man – was arrested in Doonside and taken to Blacktown Police Station, where he was charged with two counts of knowingly deal proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group.
He was refused bail and appeared before Blacktown Local Court on Thursday 7 March 2024.
Following further inquiries, about 9.30am on Tuesday 12 March 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from North West Metropolitan Operational Support Group – executed a search warrant in Riverstone where they arrested a 20-year-old man.
He was taken to Riverstone Police Station where he was charged with two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group.
The man was refused bail and appeared in Blacktown Local Court on Wednesday 13 March 2024.
Commander of the Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft said Business Email Compromises (BECs) are on the rise and warned business owners to be on the lookout.
"In the last financial year, we saw a 15% increase in Business Email Compromises," Det Supt Craft said.
"Now is a great time for businesses to review their practices and procedures before authorising changes to accounting information."
Detective Superintendent Craft also praised the capability of the JPC3.
"Where cybercrime is concerned, all Australian law enforcement agencies are strongly connected and focused on reducing crime through such avenues as the JPC3 – a purpose-built centre housing all jurisdictions sunder the one roof," Det Supt Craft said.
"Not only are we working together across agencies and across borders, but the Cybercrime Squad is also proving it's strength in conducting investigations that require a high degree of collaboration with private industry, such as the banks."
Investigations under Strike Force Downstream continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
