Latest news with #CACT
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Shocking discovery during luggage check at Perth Airport
An Aussie mum was found to be carrying nearly $200,000 in cash hidden in her luggage after she was stopped at an airport in Western Australia. Footage published by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Wednesday, shows the moment security staff found the wads of cash in the 65-year-old woman's bag. The woman, who has not been identified, was stopped by staff at Perth Airport when 'irregularities' were spotted during a luggage screening in October, 2023. After searching her clothes and bag, staff allegedly discovered $191,850 in Australian dollars, along with a small amount of Euros and other currency. The AFP alleges the woman failed to declare the money in her luggage and had told officers it was savings. She also claimed some of it had been given to her by family, including her son and daughter-in-law, authorities said. An investigation by the Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) found her son and daughter-in-law had purchased six properties in Western Australia. Their value averaged up to about $4.5million in the past six years. The investigation found the couple's spending and asset portfolio did not seem to align with the earnings they had declared to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). Police alleged the couple 'hid their true earnings' to pay less tax than required. During the investigation, the couple also allegedly purchased a property in Gnangara, in Perth's northern suburbs, worth just over $2million. The taskforce applied to the Perth District Court to have multiple assets belonging to the woman and the couple restrained on June 24, 2025. This included seven properties in Western Australia collectively worth about $6.5million, including the Gnangara property, the almost $192,000 in cash seized at Perth Airport and a bank account containing about $236,000. There is no limit to the amount of cash travellers can bring in or take out of Australia but if it is more than $10,000 it must be declared. Under Commonwealth laws, the AFP can apply to restrain assets or money even when there is no related criminal investigation or prosecution. If legal proceedings are successful, the assets are liquidated and the proceeds placed in the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA).
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Thamesmead youth centre that just got a £5.4million makeover
A youth centre has been refurbished after receiving funding from the council. Hawksmoor Youth Hub in Thamesmead, which was built in the 1970s, has been given a new lease of life after receiving funding from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The centre is a popular spot for young people to socialise, learn, and take part in recreational activities. Refurbished youth centre offers safe, modern space for local young people (Image: Hawksmoor Youth Hub) The funding has allowed for improvements to be made to multiple rooms inside the centre, including the toilets, games room, sensory room, ICT room, arts room, music studio, and kitchen. The building has also been completely rewiredand the electrical system has been upgraded. Improvements have also been made to the outside of the building, including new fencing, lighting, picnic tables, vegetable planters, paving, a flat roof cover, and a bike rack. Games, arts, music and advice services return to upgraded youth hub (Image: Hawksmoor Youth Hub) The council worked with the Met Police to improve the security of the centre following funding secured from the Youth and Community Centre Safety Scheme. A kitchen refurbishment, installation of new floor and carpet tiles, donated furniture, and newly painted walls were also completed as part of Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) and Ardmore Group's Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Value programme. Youth centre upgrades include new kitchen, tech room, and sensory space (Image: Hawksmoor Youth Hub) The services onsite are run by Charlton Athletic Community Trust (CACT) and staff run a busy schedule with daily evening sessions for young people aged 8 to 19, including sports, cooking, and arts classes. Staff are also trained to give advice to young people on issues and challenges which they might be facing. Dedicated community nurses and health advisors are also on hand to give confidential advice and support on a wide range of health and wellbeing issues. New garden space at Hawksmoor Youth Hub promotes outdoor learning and play (Image: Hawksmoor Youth Hub) A council spokesperson said: "I am delighted that we were able to provide funding to bring the Hawksmoor Youth Hub back to life after having had its fair share of wear and tear since it was built in the 1970s. "The centre is a vital community asset and provides a sanctuary for our young people in Thamesmead and beyond. "The new facilities will provide young people with a safe space to socialise, make new friends, and learn new skills, helping children and young people to reach their full potential." At the event, it was announced that the Hawksmoor Youth Hub has won a national development award for 'Best Secured by Design Youth Refurbishment 2024' for ATLAS, which is Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) annual national security conference, held by Secured by Design. To find out more about Hawksmoor Youth Hub and its upcoming events visit the Young Greenwich website.
The Advertiser
27-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLaren seized in PBS fraud probe of Sydney pharmacist
A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The CACT says it "restrained" a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe, an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ, and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista. In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts "do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings". While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called "restrained assets" are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. "This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means," said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. "When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. "Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay." The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP. Content originally sourced from: A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The CACT says it "restrained" a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe, an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ, and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista. In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts "do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings". While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called "restrained assets" are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. "This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means," said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. "When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. "Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay." The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP. Content originally sourced from: A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The CACT says it "restrained" a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe, an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ, and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista. In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts "do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings". While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called "restrained assets" are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. "This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means," said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. "When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. "Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay." The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP. Content originally sourced from: A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The CACT says it "restrained" a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe, an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ, and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista. In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts "do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings". While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called "restrained assets" are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. "This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means," said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. "When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. "Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay." The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP. Content originally sourced from:
West Australian
27-05-2025
- West Australian
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLaren seized in PBS fraud probe of Sydney pharmacist
A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . The CACT says it 'restrained' a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe , an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ , and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista . In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts 'do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings'. While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called 'restrained assets' are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. 'This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means,' said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. 'When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. 'Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay.' The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP.
Perth Now
27-05-2025
- Perth Now
Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLaren seized in PBS fraud probe of Sydney pharmacist
A collection of exotic vehicles has been seized from a New South Wales pharmacist who allegedly made false claims under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for almost a decade. A Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) led by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) has seized more than $20 million in assets from the 58-year-old pharmacist, who is alleged to have made false claims between 2014 and 2023 with a value of more than $10 million. Search warrants were executed by the AFP at the man's house in Dural, as well as a pharmacy in Cabramatta East, leading to charges being laid and the subsequent CACT investigation and asset seizure. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The CACT says it 'restrained' a total of 12 vehicles: seven BMWs, two Ferraris, two Lamborghinis, and one McLaren. Photos taken by AFP officers show a garage of late-model, high-end vehicles, as well as a Lexus SC430. The BMWs include a 220i coupe, an M3 Competition sports sedan, and a 7 Series limousine, all current-generation models. The lone McLaren is a 765LT with a distinctive black and red exterior, while the two Lamborghinis are an Aventador Ultimae and an Aventador SVJ, and the two Ferraris are a 488 GTB and a 488 Pista. Supplied Credit: CarExpert In addition to the vehicles, the CACT alleges the man's Dural mansion, East Cabramatta business, and various bank accounts 'do not seem to be accounted for by legitimate earnings'. While the CACT litigates matters in courts, so-called 'restrained assets' are managed on behalf of the Commonwealth by the Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA). Should the CACT be successful in court, the AFSA will in turn liquidate the assets and the proceeds will go to the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account (CAA). These funds are in turn reinvested in programs which support crime prevention, law enforcement, drug treatment, and diversionary measures related to drug use. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The pharmacist is currently bailed and will next appear before court on June 6, 2025. He has been charged with: Two counts of dealing in proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more, contrary to section 400.3(1) of the Criminal Code (Cth) Two counts of dishonesty causing a loss to the Commonwealth, contrary to section 135.1(3) of the Criminal Code (Cth) The maximum respective penalties for these offences are 25 years' imprisonment and 10 years' imprisonment. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert The CACT explained the restraint of assets serves as a further deterrent to criminals. 'This approach ensures those who seek to exploit government benefit schemes for financial gain face not only legal consequences, but also the loss of the wealth they sought to accumulate through dishonest means,' said AFP CACT Commander Jason Kennedy. 'When law enforcement recovers illicit gains, it removes the incentive that fuels such crimes and sends a strong deterrent message to others. 'Offenders consider the confiscation of their assets to be as much, or more, of a punishment than a prison sentence, and removing the lure of financial exploitation from the equation shows that crime does not pay.' The CACT sees the AFP collaborate with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, and the Australian Border Force. Click an image to view a full gallery of images from the AFP.
