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Further charges laid after $7 million fraud uncovered - Strike Force Vessel

Thursday, 12 March 2015 04:06:37 PM

Four people have now been charged with allegedly organising 30 fraudulent home loan applications to the value of $7 million.

Strike Force Vessel was formed by the Corporate Corruption Unit within the State Crime Command’s Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, to investigate fraud offences that occurred between June 2013 and August 2014.

It will be alleged in court a total of thirty fraudulent home loans were obtained, with the money being used to buy units in a building in Nelson Bay at a price much higher than their true value.

Police will further allege $2 million worth of profit was then distributed amongst the people who have now been charged.

On Friday 27 February 2015, a 45-year-old man was arrested at Parramatta Police Station. He was charged with a total of 39 offences; including fraud (x3), dealing with identification information (x11), using a false document to obtain financial advantage (x5), money laundering (x3), using a false instrument (x14) and obtaining a benefit by deception (x3).

The Kellyville man was granted conditional bail to appear before Parramatta Local Court on 1 April 2015.

Last Thursday (5 March 2015), a 38-year-old Breakfast Point man was arrested at Burwood Police Station and charged with three counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on 2 April 2015.

Investigations by strike force detectives continued and resulted in a search warrant being executed at a Georges Hall home yesterday (11 March 2015). Two men – aged 42 and 44 – were arrested the same day.

The younger man was charged with intent to defraud, dealing with identity information (x2) and use false document (x2), while the older man was charged with five counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime.

They were both given conditional bail to appear in court on 1 April 2015; the younger man is due to front Bankstown Local Court, while the older man due to appear in Burwood Local Court.

Today (Thursday 12 March 2015), a fifth man was arrested at a shop in Kogarah, but has been released pending further inquiries by strike force detectives.

Inquiries under Strike Force Vessel are continuing and anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis, said the arrests highlight the good work of the Corporate Corruption Unit, who work within his squad.

“We will be alleging in court this was a well organised criminal syndicate, that has been brought undone by great detective work,” he said.

"As a squad, we're committed to working with the business community of NSW to help eradicate corruption in all its forms.

“These arrests display the commitment our Corporate Corruption Unit has to stamping this sort of criminal activity out,” Det Supt Katsogiannis said.