Cybercrime Unit detectives have charged three people following an investigation into a phishing scam, which netted more than $140,000 earlier this year, NSW Police say.
In April 2017, a report was made to the Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) after the email system of a Sydney-based design and manufacture business was compromised.
It was reported that an invoice between the company and a client was intercepted during this time and the identity of the email taken over. As a result, the monies were later paid into an unknown and unauthorised account.
The matter was referred to the State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Squad and an investigation was commenced by detectives from the Cybercrime Unit.
Following extensive inquiries, detectives arrested a 40-year-old man at Guildford yesterday.
He was taken to Fairfield Police Station and charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime with intent to conceal serious indictable offence, and participate in a criminal group.
At the same time, a 42-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman were arrested at Lurnea.
Police located $4300 cash during a search of the man, which is alleged to be proceeds of crime.
The pair was taken to Liverpool Police Station, where the man was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, goods in custody, and participate in a criminal group; and the woman was charged with knowingly deal with proceeds of crime and participate in a criminal group.
Police will allege in court the trio intercepted the payment of a $140,030 invoice and withdrew the funds.
The trio have been granted strict conditional bail, with the younger man due to appear at Fairfield Local Court on Thursday 2 November, and the couple due to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 25 October 2017.
Investigations are continuing.
Reports of cybercrime can be made at any police station or to ACORN: https://www.acorn.gov.au/
Anyone with information in relation to phishing scams to call Crime Stoppers.
