Detectives from State Crime Command's Financial Crimes Squad have charged a woman allegedly involved in a highly sophisticated fraud and money laundering syndicate operating across Sydney.
In January 2024, detectives attached to the Financial Crimes Squad and the NSW Crime Commission launched an investigation into a criminal syndicate targeting Sydney automotive financing companies under Strike Force Myddleton.
The investigation initially uncovered the syndicate was allegedly using stolen personal information to apply for loans through various financial companies to purchase luxury 'ghost cars' that did not exist.
Ten people have previously been charged under the strike force and remain before the courts, with the NSW Crime Commission having previously restrained $53 million in assets.
Ongoing investigations revealed the syndicate's operations extended well beyond car financing fraud to large-scale personal, business and home loan fraud against multiple financial institutions.
Following further investigations, about 6.50am on Wednesday (13 August 2025), strike force detectives - with the assistance of officers attached to Central Metropolitan Region Operational Support Group and ODIN - executed two search warrants, at a unit and carpark, in Sydney's CBD.
During the warrants, police located and seized three luxury vehicles - a Maserati Grecale, a Lamborghini Urus and a Ferrari F171 - with a combined value of $1.4million and a number of luxury bags and clothing worth $30,000.
A 37-year-old woman was arrested at the scene and was taken to Day Street Police Station.
She was charged with 12 offences:
- Six counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage etc by deception
- Two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime
- Participate criminal group contribute criminal activity
- Make false document to obtain financial advantage etc
- Dishonestly obtain property by deception
- Use false document to obtain financial advantage etc
The woman was refused bail to appear before Bail Division Court 7 today (Thursday 14 August 2025).
Police will allege the woman used her role as a finance professional to facilitate fraud to the value of $4 million.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, said investigators are now shifting their attention.
"Strike Force Myddleton has now put 11 people before the courts and disrupted a highly organised criminal enterprise operating across multiple financial sectors.
"We are now focusing on professional facilitators who we believe are enabling this syndicate's operations - particularly those working in the professional financial industry, including accounting, financial services, and taxation."
Investigations under Strike Force Myddleton continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
