Detectives have charged four people – including two former bank employees – with almost 220 offences as investigations continue into a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in defrauding a financial institution.
In May 2019, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad established Strike Force Kerribee to investigate fraudulent activity against a financial institution.
In December last year, detectives charged a 29-year-old woman with 15 fraud-related offences.
A further four people – two women and two men – have also been charged during the investigation.
All five remain before the courts.
Following further extensive inquiries, strike force detectives executed five search warrants at a business at Liverpool, and homes at Sutherland, Kangaroo Point, Heckenberg and Liverpool, from 6am today (Thursday 7 October 2021).
During the searches, investigators seized about $400,000 cash, documents and electronic items which will undergo further forensic examination.
Four people – three men and a woman – were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations.
A 29-year-old Sutherland woman was re-arrested and charged with a further 112 fraud-related offences, including;
- possess identity info to commit etc indictable offence (x26),
- deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence (x1),
- dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (x9),
- knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal (x3),
- knowingly direct activities of criminal group (x1),and,
- possess false document to obtain financial advantage (x72)
Police will allege in court that the woman, who is a former bank employee, used fraudulent documentation to submit false loan applications and launder money to the value of $550,000.
She was refused bail and appeared at Sutherland Local Court today, where she was formally refused bail to appear at Central Local Court tomorrow (Friday 8 October 2021).
A 27-year-old Heckenberg man was charged with 40 offences, including;
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity (x1), and,
- make false document to obtain financial advantage (x39)
A 37-year-old Liverpool man was charged with 34 offences, including;
- participate criminal group contribute criminal activity (x1), and,
- make false document to obtain financial advantage (x33)
Police will allege in court that the men used their employment as accountants to submit fraudulent tax documents on behalf of the syndicate for a financial gain.
A 53-year-old Kangaroo Point man was charged with 33 offences, including;
- deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence (x25), and,
- dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception (x8)
Police will allege the man, who is a former bank manager, facilitated the use of fraudulent documentation submitted by the syndicate to obtain loans.
The three men were granted conditional bail to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday 18 November 2021.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, said investigations into the syndicate’s activities uncovered a raft of fraud-related offences.
“Forensic analysis of items previously seized by Corporate Corruption Team detectives has led to the identification of further fraud-related offences allegedly committed by members of this syndicate,” Det Supt Howlett said.
“Police will allege the majority of these offences were coordinated by the 29-year-old Sutherland woman, and that she was assisted by other members of the syndicate.
“This type of fraudulent activity is complex, well planned and salacious; particularly when you consider those allegedly involved in this fraud betrayed the trust of their customers and employers.
“Investigators will now be thoroughly examining the documentation and other items seized today to ensure any further victims or offences are identified.
“As our inquiries continue, strike force investigators are urging anyone with information to come forward and contact police,” Det Supt Howlett said.
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.
