A fourth man has been charged following an investigation into technology-enabled crime in Sydney, NSW Police say.
In July 2016, detectives from the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Tamarisk to investigate the use of Host Card Emulation (HCE) via ‘Tap and Pay’ applications to make fraudulent purchases across Sydney.
HCE is the technology dependent architecture that provides the exact virtual representation of various electronic banking cards using software only.
Their inquiries identified a sophisticated organised group, who police will allege, had been porting mobile phones, compromising bank accounts through mobile applications, enabling the use of credit cards to purchase electronic and luxury goods, which are then on-sold.
About 9.30am yesterday, officers spoke to a 35-year-old man who was in custody at a Corrective Services facility for an unrelated matter.
He was subsequently charged with 13 offences including fraud and dealing with identity information.
Police will allege in court the men were part of a group using HCE to make fraudulent purchases totalling about $1.5 million. It is believed at least 45 bank accounts were compromised.
"Without the tremendous work and effort of the officers involved in Strike Force Tamarisk, which has so far resulted in four arrests and uncovered a $1.5 million cyber enabled fraud operation targeting around 45 people, these results would not have been possible," Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, Commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad at State Crime Command said.
"Their perseverance, commitment and professionalism is second to none, which is why, as investigations continue, further arrests are expected," Detective Superintendent Katsogiannis said.
Police are urging anyone with information about technology-enabled crime is urged to call Crime Stoppers.
