‘I am richer haha': Fugitive transport manager's message after $150,000 crypto transfer
WhatsApp messages, emails and phone records in 2021 show communications between Protection Barriers director Meshel Chellew and then-Transport for NSW manager Ibrahim Helmy about how she could set up a cryptocurrency account and later transfer funds of up to $150,000 at a time to another crypto account from the company.
In one exchange between the pair in 2021, a WhatsApp message from Helmy confirming that a transfer had come through read: 'I am richer haha.'
The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating allegations Helmy was the mastermind behind corrupt relationships with companies, including Protection Barriers, that were paid at least $343 million in contracts. Helmy, 38, failed to appear before the ICAC in May and police have a warrant out for his arrest.
Under questioning on Wednesday, Chellow confirmed Helmy would regularly instruct her while on the phone about a cryptocurrency transfer, providing by email details which she then cut and pasted into Protection Barriers' cryptocurrency account to enable transfers.
'He is sending me a step-by-step guide. I can't follow what he said on the phone sometimes. He would send me a screenshot,' she told the inquiry.
'He is always on the phone. I didn't have a clue what I was looking at.'
Their first conversation was on March 13, 2021, after her husband, Jason Chellew, told her that Helmy would call to instruct her about how to set up an account for Protection Barriers. 'He just says, 'a guy will call you',' she said. '[Jason] said we are going to set up an account for [cryptocurrency exchange] Independent Reserve and I didn't even know what it was.'
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The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Needles reportedly spotted at Horseshoe beach amid ongoing clean-up
Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said he was aware of the community's concerns and was pushing for the clean-up of the area to be expedited. "TfNSW have been conducting a progressive clean of this area, with officers making multiple trips to the site this week and very regularly over the last few months," Mr Crakanthorp said. Following the removal of some vans and the relocation of others who have been long-term in the car park, TfNSW has completed a clean-up in the car park and is progressively working through adjacent spaces," he said. In a Facebook post last week, Mr Crakanthorp said the issue was complex, as many of the people occupying Horseshoe beach were homeless. "Police and Homes NSW have been working to move on vans and rehouse rough sleepers at Horseshoe Beach with appropriate housing," he said. The federal MP encouraged people to report all needle waste to the Needle Clean up Hotline at 1800 633 353. Needles have been spotted on Horseshoe beach amid the ongoing clean-up of the surrounding area. Novocastrians reportedly stumbled upon what looked like discarded needles along the waterfront last week. While Transport for NSW said they weren't aware of needle waste specifically, they were working with Maritime Environmental Services to arrange a clean-up of the beach and surrounding waterfront areas around Newcastle Harbour as soon as possible. A spokesperson for TfNSW said they planned to alert the appropriate authorities about needle wastage in the area. "The amenity and cleanliness of Transport assets is a top priority," the spokesperson said. "Horseshoe beach was impacted by recent severe weather, resulting in debris, such as logs and sticks, washing up on the sand," they said. "Members of the public are reminded not to touch or pick up needles." TfNSW has been cleaning up the beach car park and nearby dunes after the area had become overrun with "vagrants", littered with needles and drug paraphernalia and was apparently so unsafe that the council's own regulatory staff have been told not to go there. 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The Advertiser
4 days ago
- The Advertiser
Accused heroin-smuggling grandad refused bail again
A grandfather accused of smuggling heroin worth more than $2 million in a camp stretcher has failed to win bail after accusing federal police of withholding vital information in his case. Barry James Calverley, a mining safety officer from Perth, was arrested at Sydney Airport after he arrived on a flight from Vietnam in January 2024. Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 5kg of heroin, worth $2.25 million, concealed in his camp stretcher. Calverley, who is in his early 70s and appeared via a video link from custody wearing his green prison uniform, was denied bail in the NSW District Court on Thursday. It was the second refusal after the NSW Supreme Court in mid-2024 decided to keep him in custody. A trial is set for March 2026 where Calverley will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty. "This is hardly a rare trial. You see these kind of trials throughout our system - for better or for worse," Judge John Pickering said on Thursday. Calverley's lawyer Justine Hopper strongly argued the Australian Federal Police had withheld crucial information until the eve of his original trial date scheduled for later this year, but which was pushed back to early 2026. "He said to them (AFP officers), straight up, 'I've got information for you. I can tell you who's involved'," she said. "There's nothing at all that shows that any federal agent has followed up any information that this man has told them when they pulled him up at the airport at the time." "Their lack of due diligence means that this man sits in custody," she said. The judge acknowledged the late disclosure but was unconvinced Calverley should be released to stay with his daughters in Sydney before the trial. Judge Pickering referred to incriminating Whatsapp text messages that Calverley allegedly sent to his criminal syndicate handlers which were revealed in court in August 2024. He had allegedly told law enforcement officers that he was duped by an international criminal organisation. Upon his arrest, the AFP said the quantity of heroin the West Australian man was accused of importing would have been enough for 25,000 street deals. However, the crown prosecutor argued there was a clear financial incentive involved for the West Australian man by importing the drugs. "There was a substantial amount of money that he was hoping to collect," the court was told. Ms Hopper said a jury could read the messages from "two sides" to which the judge agreed but noted "still probably the odds are against him". The judge said the WhatsApp messages showed that Calverley "knew the very risk he was taking ... and believed he could use the excuse of being scammed as a way out". "There is no question in my mind that this is still and remains a very strong case against the accused." A grandfather accused of smuggling heroin worth more than $2 million in a camp stretcher has failed to win bail after accusing federal police of withholding vital information in his case. Barry James Calverley, a mining safety officer from Perth, was arrested at Sydney Airport after he arrived on a flight from Vietnam in January 2024. Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 5kg of heroin, worth $2.25 million, concealed in his camp stretcher. Calverley, who is in his early 70s and appeared via a video link from custody wearing his green prison uniform, was denied bail in the NSW District Court on Thursday. It was the second refusal after the NSW Supreme Court in mid-2024 decided to keep him in custody. A trial is set for March 2026 where Calverley will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty. "This is hardly a rare trial. You see these kind of trials throughout our system - for better or for worse," Judge John Pickering said on Thursday. Calverley's lawyer Justine Hopper strongly argued the Australian Federal Police had withheld crucial information until the eve of his original trial date scheduled for later this year, but which was pushed back to early 2026. "He said to them (AFP officers), straight up, 'I've got information for you. I can tell you who's involved'," she said. "There's nothing at all that shows that any federal agent has followed up any information that this man has told them when they pulled him up at the airport at the time." "Their lack of due diligence means that this man sits in custody," she said. The judge acknowledged the late disclosure but was unconvinced Calverley should be released to stay with his daughters in Sydney before the trial. Judge Pickering referred to incriminating Whatsapp text messages that Calverley allegedly sent to his criminal syndicate handlers which were revealed in court in August 2024. He had allegedly told law enforcement officers that he was duped by an international criminal organisation. Upon his arrest, the AFP said the quantity of heroin the West Australian man was accused of importing would have been enough for 25,000 street deals. However, the crown prosecutor argued there was a clear financial incentive involved for the West Australian man by importing the drugs. "There was a substantial amount of money that he was hoping to collect," the court was told. Ms Hopper said a jury could read the messages from "two sides" to which the judge agreed but noted "still probably the odds are against him". The judge said the WhatsApp messages showed that Calverley "knew the very risk he was taking ... and believed he could use the excuse of being scammed as a way out". "There is no question in my mind that this is still and remains a very strong case against the accused." A grandfather accused of smuggling heroin worth more than $2 million in a camp stretcher has failed to win bail after accusing federal police of withholding vital information in his case. Barry James Calverley, a mining safety officer from Perth, was arrested at Sydney Airport after he arrived on a flight from Vietnam in January 2024. Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 5kg of heroin, worth $2.25 million, concealed in his camp stretcher. Calverley, who is in his early 70s and appeared via a video link from custody wearing his green prison uniform, was denied bail in the NSW District Court on Thursday. It was the second refusal after the NSW Supreme Court in mid-2024 decided to keep him in custody. A trial is set for March 2026 where Calverley will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty. "This is hardly a rare trial. You see these kind of trials throughout our system - for better or for worse," Judge John Pickering said on Thursday. Calverley's lawyer Justine Hopper strongly argued the Australian Federal Police had withheld crucial information until the eve of his original trial date scheduled for later this year, but which was pushed back to early 2026. "He said to them (AFP officers), straight up, 'I've got information for you. I can tell you who's involved'," she said. "There's nothing at all that shows that any federal agent has followed up any information that this man has told them when they pulled him up at the airport at the time." "Their lack of due diligence means that this man sits in custody," she said. The judge acknowledged the late disclosure but was unconvinced Calverley should be released to stay with his daughters in Sydney before the trial. Judge Pickering referred to incriminating Whatsapp text messages that Calverley allegedly sent to his criminal syndicate handlers which were revealed in court in August 2024. He had allegedly told law enforcement officers that he was duped by an international criminal organisation. Upon his arrest, the AFP said the quantity of heroin the West Australian man was accused of importing would have been enough for 25,000 street deals. However, the crown prosecutor argued there was a clear financial incentive involved for the West Australian man by importing the drugs. "There was a substantial amount of money that he was hoping to collect," the court was told. Ms Hopper said a jury could read the messages from "two sides" to which the judge agreed but noted "still probably the odds are against him". The judge said the WhatsApp messages showed that Calverley "knew the very risk he was taking ... and believed he could use the excuse of being scammed as a way out". "There is no question in my mind that this is still and remains a very strong case against the accused." A grandfather accused of smuggling heroin worth more than $2 million in a camp stretcher has failed to win bail after accusing federal police of withholding vital information in his case. Barry James Calverley, a mining safety officer from Perth, was arrested at Sydney Airport after he arrived on a flight from Vietnam in January 2024. Australian Border Force officers allegedly found 5kg of heroin, worth $2.25 million, concealed in his camp stretcher. Calverley, who is in his early 70s and appeared via a video link from custody wearing his green prison uniform, was denied bail in the NSW District Court on Thursday. It was the second refusal after the NSW Supreme Court in mid-2024 decided to keep him in custody. A trial is set for March 2026 where Calverley will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment if found guilty. "This is hardly a rare trial. You see these kind of trials throughout our system - for better or for worse," Judge John Pickering said on Thursday. Calverley's lawyer Justine Hopper strongly argued the Australian Federal Police had withheld crucial information until the eve of his original trial date scheduled for later this year, but which was pushed back to early 2026. "He said to them (AFP officers), straight up, 'I've got information for you. I can tell you who's involved'," she said. "There's nothing at all that shows that any federal agent has followed up any information that this man has told them when they pulled him up at the airport at the time." "Their lack of due diligence means that this man sits in custody," she said. The judge acknowledged the late disclosure but was unconvinced Calverley should be released to stay with his daughters in Sydney before the trial. Judge Pickering referred to incriminating Whatsapp text messages that Calverley allegedly sent to his criminal syndicate handlers which were revealed in court in August 2024. He had allegedly told law enforcement officers that he was duped by an international criminal organisation. Upon his arrest, the AFP said the quantity of heroin the West Australian man was accused of importing would have been enough for 25,000 street deals. However, the crown prosecutor argued there was a clear financial incentive involved for the West Australian man by importing the drugs. "There was a substantial amount of money that he was hoping to collect," the court was told. Ms Hopper said a jury could read the messages from "two sides" to which the judge agreed but noted "still probably the odds are against him". The judge said the WhatsApp messages showed that Calverley "knew the very risk he was taking ... and believed he could use the excuse of being scammed as a way out". "There is no question in my mind that this is still and remains a very strong case against the accused."
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- The Advertiser
Fatal truck crash: specialist officers to comb crime scene on M1 after man killed
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Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. A TRUCK driver has died in a crash on the M1 at Morisset on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to reports of a crash between two trucks, including a petrol tanker, in the southbound lanes near Mandalong Road just before 3pm on July 22. Police said the man who had been driving one of the vehicles sadly died before emergency services arrived. He was yet to be formally identified on Tuesday night. The second driver, a 57-year-old man, was not injured in the crash, according to police. Lake Macquarie police established a crime scene and were waiting for specialist officers to arrive and comb the crash site as part of the effort to piece together how the fatal collision unfolded. Both southbound lanes of the M1 were closed to all traffic south of Morisset and no traffic heading from Newcastle to Sydney could get through. A NSW Police spokesperson said the roadway was expected to remain a crime scene for a considerable amount of time and motorists were urged to avoid the area. Southbound traffic north of the crash site was in gridlock on Tuesday afternoon and motorists were warned to expect significant delays. Northbound traffic was also affected, with one of two lanes closed while the emergency response unfolded. Traffic was heavy on the roads surrounding the crash site at Dora Creek, Cooranbong and Morisset, due to diversions. Multiple NSW Ambulance resources were tasked to the scene, including a rescue helicopter, along with police officers and Transport for NSW crews, as part of the major emergency response. Heavy vehicle recovery and the clean-up of the crash site were also expected to take some time, according to Live Traffic NSW updates. A diversion was in place along Mandalong Road, Wyee Road, Doyalson Link Road and the M1 Pacific Motorway. B-doubles had to divert via Newcastle using the Pacific Highway; while light vehicles only could consider using Hue Hue Road from Wyee Road then Sparks Road to access the M1 Pacific Motorway from Warnervale. Investigating police have urged anyone with information about the truck crash, who was in the area at the time, or who had dashcam or mobile phone footage available, to contact Morisset police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
