Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have today arrested three people and seized cash, a firearm and a smoke grenade as part of an investigation into fraudulent car financing applications used to obtain luxury vehicles.
Two search warrants were executed at residential addresses in Coburg North and Sunshine West this morning.
A 37-year-old Coburg North man was charged with negligently deal with proceeds of crime, deal with property suspected to be proceeds of crime, possess handgun, possess proceeds of crime, two counts of possess drug of dependence and fail to provide pass codes.
He is expected to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court later today.
A 26-year-old Coburg North woman was charged with obtain financial advantage by deception, possess handgun, possess proceeds of crime, two counts of possess drug of dependence and fail to provide pass codes.
She was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 16 October.
A firearm, various quantities of what appear to be cannabis and 1,4-Butanediol, at least $24,000 in cash, over nine mobile phones and devices to produce fraudulent related documentation were seized from the Coburg North address.
The Bomb Response Unit was also called to assist with the discovery of a smoke grenade inside the address, which they later destroyed.
A 54-year-old Sunshine West woman was interviewed in relation to the offences of obtain property by deception. She is expected to be charged on summons.
Investigators will allege those involved were submitting fraudulent applications to vehicle financing companies in order to obtain high end luxury vehicles.
False and fraudulent documents, including identity documents, bank statements, and Medicare and Australia Taxation Office documents were submitted during the application process.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with any information on organised crime activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
