Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a man with additional offences as part of ongoing investigations into an alleged money laundering, fraud, and drug manufacturing syndicate.
Last year, detectives from the State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Bidgee to investigate the alleged illicit activities of a Sydney-based money laundering syndicate.
Inquiries revealed the syndicate used stolen credit cards, personal identifications documents, and an SMS 'smishing' scam to fraudulently obtain funds.
Smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending SMS messages purporting to be from a reputable entity to obtain personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account details from the recipient.
Further investigations by strike force detectives revealed the group was allegedly involved in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, including methylamphetamine (ice).
In April this year, detectives executed two search warrants at units at Haymarket and Zetland.
During the searches, officers seized methylamphetamine (ice), cannabis, cash, electronic devices and fraudulent credit cards.
All items were seized for further examination.
Two men – aged 23 and 28 – were subsequently arrested and charged over their alleged roles in the syndicate and remain before the courts.
On Friday 24 September 2021, Cybercrime Squad detectives laid an additional six offences against the older man at Mascot Police Station.
The charges include;
- Knowingly deal with proceeds of crime (x2),
- possess identity info to commit indictable offence,
- deal with identity info to commit indictable offence,
- manufacture prohibited drug more than indictable quantity (not cannabis), and,
- supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount.
He appeared at Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday 25 September 2021, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Central Local Court today (Tuesday 23 November 2021).
Investigations under Strike Force Bidgee are continuing.
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.
