Latest news with #OperationGouldian
News.com.au
18-05-2025
- News.com.au
Hacker's waterfront home, Mercedes and Bitcoin forfeited in cybercrime probe
A waterfront mansion, a luxury car and cryptocurrency - together valued at more than $4.5m - have been seized in a major cybercrime investigation, which led police to a Queensland man once convicted of hacking a US gaming company. The assets were seized by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) after being identified as suspected proceeds of crime linked to the theft of cryptocurrency and cyber hacking. The forfeiture brought to a close Operation Gouldian, which began after law enforcement partners in Luxembourg tipped off AUSTRAC in 2018 about suspicious Bitcoin activity. Authorities traced the transactions to a Queensland man who had previously been convicted of hacking a U.S. gaming company. Investigators also suspected the man was linked to the 2013 theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange. Although no criminal charges were laid in Australia, CACT used civil powers available under proceeds of crime laws to freeze and ultimately confiscate the assets. These laws allow action to be taken even when a prosecution is not pursued. In July 2023, the AFP obtained restraining orders over a luxury home in Beachmere, a black 2019 Mercedes-Benz sedan, and just less than 25 Bitcoin. Authorities alleged the man's wealth was not supported by any legitimate income. AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said targeting illegal profits remained a key strategy in tackling cybercrime. 'Criminals are driven by greed at the expense of honest Australians and businesses who are losing their hard-earned money to cyber criminals,' he said. 'The profits derived from criminal activities are also often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with our partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure they are reinvested in the community.' Since July 2019, the taskforce has restrained more than $1.2bn worth of criminal assets, including property, luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and even yachts and fine art. CACT permanently established in 2012 to proactively trace and confiscate criminal wealth. The assets will now be liquidated, with proceeds then placed into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account, where they can be directed by the Attorney-General to support community initiatives such as drug prevention or law enforcement programs.
West Australian
18-05-2025
- West Australian
Hacker's waterfront home, Mercedes and Bitcoin forfeited in cybercrime probe
A waterfront mansion, a luxury car and cryptocurrency - together valued at more than $4.5m - have been seized in a major cybercrime investigation, which led police to a Queensland man once convicted of hacking a US gaming company. The assets were seized by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) after being identified as suspected proceeds of crime linked to the theft of cryptocurrency and cyber hacking. The forfeiture brought to a close Operation Gouldian, which began after law enforcement partners in Luxembourg tipped off AUSTRAC in 2018 about suspicious Bitcoin activity. Authorities traced the transactions to a Queensland man who had previously been convicted of hacking a U.S. gaming company. Investigators also suspected the man was linked to the 2013 theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange. Although no criminal charges were laid in Australia, CACT used civil powers available under proceeds of crime laws to freeze and ultimately confiscate the assets. These laws allow action to be taken even when a prosecution is not pursued. In July 2023, the AFP obtained restraining orders over a luxury home in Beachmere, a black 2019 Mercedes-Benz sedan, and just less than 25 Bitcoin. Authorities alleged the man's wealth was not supported by any legitimate income. AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said targeting illegal profits remained a key strategy in tackling cybercrime. 'Criminals are driven by greed at the expense of honest Australians and businesses who are losing their hard-earned money to cyber criminals,' he said. 'The profits derived from criminal activities are also often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with our partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure they are reinvested in the community.' Since July 2019, the taskforce has restrained more than $1.2bn worth of criminal assets, including property, luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and even yachts and fine art. CACT permanently established in 2012 to proactively trace and confiscate criminal wealth. The assets will now be liquidated, with proceeds then placed into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account, where they can be directed by the Attorney-General to support community initiatives such as drug prevention or law enforcement programs.
Perth Now
18-05-2025
- Perth Now
Hacker's luxury mansion, car seized in probe
A waterfront mansion, a luxury car and cryptocurrency - together valued at more than $4.5m - have been seized in a major cybercrime investigation, which led police to a Queensland man once convicted of hacking a US gaming company. The assets were seized by the AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce (CACT) after being identified as suspected proceeds of crime linked to the theft of cryptocurrency and cyber hacking. The forfeiture brought to a close Operation Gouldian, which began after law enforcement partners in Luxembourg tipped off AUSTRAC in 2018 about suspicious Bitcoin activity. The waterfront Beachmere home forfeited to the Commonwealth after an AFP-led investigation into suspected proceeds of crime, including cryptocurrency theft and cyber hacking. Photo: Supplied/AFP Credit: Supplied Authorities traced the transactions to a Queensland man who had previously been convicted of hacking a U.S. gaming company. Investigators also suspected the man was linked to the 2013 theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange. Although no criminal charges were laid in Australia, CACT used civil powers available under proceeds of crime laws to freeze and ultimately confiscate the assets. These laws allow action to be taken even when a prosecution is not pursued. In July 2023, the AFP obtained restraining orders over a luxury home in Beachmere, a black 2019 Mercedes-Benz sedan, and just less than 25 Bitcoin. Authorities alleged the man's wealth was not supported by any legitimate income. AFP Commander Jason Kennedy said targeting illegal profits remained a key strategy in tackling cybercrime. 'Criminals are driven by greed at the expense of honest Australians and businesses who are losing their hard-earned money to cyber criminals,' he said. 'The profits derived from criminal activities are also often used to fund further criminal acts, which is why the AFP works closely with our partners in the CACT to target the proceeds of crime and ensure they are reinvested in the community.' Since July 2019, the taskforce has restrained more than $1.2bn worth of criminal assets, including property, luxury goods, cryptocurrency, and even yachts and fine art. CACT permanently established in 2012 to proactively trace and confiscate criminal wealth. The assets will now be liquidated, with proceeds then placed into the Commonwealth Confiscated Assets Account, where they can be directed by the Attorney-General to support community initiatives such as drug prevention or law enforcement programs.
The Age
17-05-2025
- The Age
Qld man's waterfront mansion seized by police amid Bitcoin probe
Assets worth $4.5 million, including a waterfront mansion, Bitcoin, and a luxury car, have been seized in relation to a Queensland man previously convicted of hacking a US gaming giant. After a years-long Australian Federal Police investigation, the District Court last month ordered the assets be forfeited to the Commonwealth. The AFP launched Operation Gouldian in 2018 after it was contacted by authorities in Luxembourg regarding suspicious Bitcoin transactions linked to Queensland man Shane Stephen Duffy. Police then identified suspected links between Duffy and the theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange in 2013. However, the AFP said no criminal charges eventuated. In 2016, Duffy pleaded guilty to several offences, including fraud and computer hacking, with the District Court in Brisbane hearing he made just over $32,000 in 2013 for selling the details of inactive player accounts for the online game League of Legends, which is produced by LA-based developer Riot Games. Loading At the time, Duffy was described in reports as a homeschooled Queensland computer whiz. During his sentencing, his defence barrister said the offences were committed at a time when Duffy was still traumatised by the loss of his father and was withdrawing from the outside world. Under Commonwealth law, federal police are allowed to seize suspected proceeds of crime, even if a criminal prosecution does not go through. The AFP obtained restraining orders over the assets, which included a waterfront Moreton Bay home at Beachmere, a 2019 black Mercedes-Benz, and 24.99 Bitcoin. The AFP said they were seized on the basis 'it was reasonable to suspect they were the proceeds of crime, noting they were not commensurate with identifiable legitimate earnings'.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Qld man's waterfront mansion seized by police amid Bitcoin probe
Assets worth $4.5 million, including a waterfront mansion, Bitcoin, and a luxury car, have been seized in relation to a Queensland man previously convicted of hacking a US gaming giant. After a years-long Australian Federal Police investigation, the District Court last month ordered the assets be forfeited to the Commonwealth. The AFP launched Operation Gouldian in 2018 after it was contacted by authorities in Luxembourg regarding suspicious Bitcoin transactions linked to Queensland man Shane Stephen Duffy. Police then identified suspected links between Duffy and the theft of 950 Bitcoin from a French cryptocurrency exchange in 2013. However, the AFP said no criminal charges eventuated. In 2016, Duffy pleaded guilty to several offences, including fraud and computer hacking, with the District Court in Brisbane hearing he made just over $32,000 in 2013 for selling the details of inactive player accounts for the online game League of Legends, which is produced by LA-based developer Riot Games. Loading At the time, Duffy was described in reports as a homeschooled Queensland computer whiz. During his sentencing, his defence barrister said the offences were committed at a time when Duffy was still traumatised by the loss of his father and was withdrawing from the outside world. Under Commonwealth law, federal police are allowed to seize suspected proceeds of crime, even if a criminal prosecution does not go through. The AFP obtained restraining orders over the assets, which included a waterfront Moreton Bay home at Beachmere, a 2019 black Mercedes-Benz, and 24.99 Bitcoin. The AFP said they were seized on the basis 'it was reasonable to suspect they were the proceeds of crime, noting they were not commensurate with identifiable legitimate earnings'.
