Detectives have charged an additional three people over their alleged involvement in a $4.7 million business email compromise scam syndicate targeting Australian companies.
In September last year, 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.
As part of ongoing inquiries, officers from Campsie and Cumberland Police Area Commands also commenced investigations into reports of cyber-enabled fraudulent activity.
Cybercrime Squad detectives, together with Campsie and Cumberland Police Area Commands, have so far charged fourteen people over their alleged involvement in the syndicate. They all remain before the courts.
As part of ongoing inquiries, Cybercrime Squad investigators arrested a further two men – aged 21 and 22 – from 6.30am yesterday (Wednesday 16 September 2020).
The 21-year-old Glenfield man was taken to Campbelltown Police Station and charged with participate in criminal group contribute to criminal activity and two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the man was involved in the email scam syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime to the value of $80,000.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020.
The 22-year-old Colyton man was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with participate in criminal group contribute to criminal activity and five counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the man was involved in the email scam syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime to the value of $110,000.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Monday 28 September 2020.
About 9am today (Thursday 17 September 2020), a 21-year-old St Marys man was arrested at Parramatta Police Station and charged with participate in criminal group contribute to criminal activity and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the man was involved in the email scam syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime to the value of $300,000.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court today.
Investigations under Strike Force Belltree are continuing.
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Belltree investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence.
