Cybercrime Squad detectives have laid an additional nine charges against a man at court today, following an investigation into an alleged $3.6 million fraud targeting Australian businesses.
In September 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Belltree to investigate a criminal syndicate targeting businesses across the country through email scams.
Their inquiries revealed that altered invoices had been sent to legitimate businesses for payment through an email scam, before the funds were transferred into personal accounts.
So far during the investigation, strike force detectives have charged eight people.
Following further inquiries, Cybercrime Squad detectives laid an additional nine offences against a 29-year-old Zetland man at Central Local Court today (Thursday 11 June 2020).
The charges include three counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime with intent to conceal and six counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege in court that the man directed an online cyber-fraud and money laundering syndicate targeting Australian businesses.
It will be further alleged the man obtained more than $2.6 million and attempted to obtain a further $997,000, through email scams and altered invoices between July 2018 and March 2020.
The man is now facing a total of 21 charges relating to an alleged $3.6 million fraud.
He is next due to appear at Central Local Court on Thursday 23 July 2020.
Investigations under Strike Force Belltree are continuing.
Anyone with information in relation to technology-enabled crime is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
