Cybercrime Squad detectives, with the assistance of the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre (JPC3), have charged three people following an investigation into an alleged $600,000 email scam under Strike Force Downstream.
Strike Force Downstream is an ongoing investigation by State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad, investigating matters referred by the JPC3.
In May 2026, JPC3 analysts and industry partners, as part of JPC3 Operation Dolos, obtained evidence of a 20-year-old woman allegedly purchasing $100,000 worth of gold bullion on five occasions within a two-week period.
Information provided to Operation Dolos, by the National Australia Bank, led to the identification of suspicious funds believed to be proceeds of crime obtained through a Business Email Compromise (BEC).
About 2.30pm on Wednesday 14 May 2026, strike force detectives with assistance from JPC3 members arrested the woman at a gold dealership in Sydney's CBD.
Two men, aged 36 and 29, who were accompanying the woman were also arrested.
During a search of the group's car, police located and seized a further $34,000 in cash and three mobile phones.
A subsequent search warrant was executed at an apartment in Zetland, with assistance from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), where police located a further three mobile phones and documentation.
The trio were taken to Surry Hills Police Station, where the woman was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime >$5000 and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The younger man was charged with two counts of deal with property proceeds of crime < $100000 & < $5000, deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The older man was charged with deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
All three were refused bail and appeared in Bail Division Local Court 7 the same day.
Commander of State Crime Command's Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, said this operation is an excellent example of the benefits of coordinated policing.
"The success of this investigation shows how effective we can be when agencies and industry partners operate side-by-side," Det Supt Craft said.
"The partnerships within the JPC3 give us the capability to identify threats early, act decisively, and protect the community from complex cyber-enabled crime."
AFP Superintendent Marie Andersson said industry partnerships with law enforcement were crucial to detecting BEC at an early stage.
"Timely information from the National Australia Bank was crucial in helping police identify this alleged criminal activity and act quickly to disrupt it and place people before the courts," Det Supt Andersson said.
"About $300,000 of the funds allegedly stolen in this BEC scam have been recovered, and the JPC3 will continue working with our police, government and industry partners to alleviate the impact these types of scams have on our community."
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.
