NSW Police Force

05/24/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/23/2023 16:16

Three charged over alleged $1.5 million immigration fraud - Inner West PAC

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Three charged over alleged $1.5 million immigration fraud - Inner West PAC

Wednesday, 24 May 2023 08:04:16 AM

Detectives have charged three people over allegedly defrauding a woman of $1.5 million as part of an immigration scam in Sydney's lower north shore.

In February 2021, detectives from Inner West Police Area Command commenced an investigation, following reports a 46-year-old woman had been defrauded of $1.5 million through a company while trying to arrange an Australian visa.

During the course of the investigation, officers arrested a 36-year-old man at a home in Narwee, about 10am on Thursday 4 May 2023.

He was taken to Campsie Police Station and charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime greater than $5,000, officer publish false misleading statement to deceive, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear before Bankstown Local Court on Tuesday 6 June 2023.

Following further inquiries, detectives from Inner West Police Area Command executed a search warrant at a home in Turramurra, about 8am yesterday (Tuesday 23 May 2023).

During the search, police located mobile phones, laptops, hard drives, passports, and documentation. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination.

A 42-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested at the property and taken to Hornsby Police Station.

The 42-year-old man was charged with dishonestly obtain property by deception, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime - serious indictable offence, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal - serious indictable offence, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.

The 39-year-old woman was charged with three counts of use false document to obtain financial advantage, two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal - serious indictable offence.

Police will allege in court that the three people worked at an immigration company based in Chatswood and were hired by the 46-year-old woman to help obtain Australian citizenship for herself and her family in exchange for $1.5 million in 2017.

It will further be alleged they transferred the $1.5 million into personal bank accounts and were forging documentation, including citizenship documents, without assisting the woman secure an Australian visa.

Both were granted strict conditional bail and are due to appear before Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday 14 June 2023.

Investigations are continuing.

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