Alleged money laundering scheme is busted as cops uncover complex network in Australia
A security company allegedly used an armoured transport service to smuggle cash around the nation as it laundered millions of dollars of criminal proceeds.
Three men - aged 32, 48 and 58 - and a 35-year-old woman have been charged with multiple money laundering offences, Australian Federal Police say.
Investigations continue into the scheme that allegedly transferred $190million into cryptocurrency between October 2022 and May 2024.
Authorities have restrained 17 properties, bank accounts and luxury cars in NSW and Queensland worth more than $21million, allegedly purchased with tainted money.
'This investigation has unravelled a sophisticated operation that allegedly moved illicit cash around the country,' AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer told reporters on Monday.
'It was truly a national operation, laundering the profits of criminal ventures across the country, (and) these cash profits were being flown into Queensland to be washed and returned to individuals.'
Investigators allege the Gold Coast-based security company used a complex network of bank accounts, businesses, couriers and cryptocurrency accounts to launder millions of dollars of illicit funds over 18 months.
'The results we are announcing today will deliver a significant blow to alleged individuals, whoever relied on this operation to turn their ill-got profits into property portfolios, luxury cars and cryptocurrency,' Mr Telfer said.
AFP Detective Superintendent Adrian Telfer claimed the alleged operation was a 'sophisticated operation that allegedly moved illicit cash around the country' (pictured, a Nissan GT-R seized by police)
The 48-year-old man and the woman, who were the director and general manager respectively of the security business, were each charged with a money laundering offence.
The couple was granted bail to face Southport Magistrates Court on July 21.
The 58-year-old man is accused of funnelling laundered money through a business account to a separate business account controlled by the 32-year-old man.
He was also charged with two money laundering offences and was granted bail to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 1.
The 32-year-old man is accused of laundering $9.5 million through the operation over 15 months.
He has been charged with money laundering and failing to provide the password to a mobile phone.
He has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
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