Dramatic moment as officers march a man through Sydney Airport after he was caught trying to deposit $1 million in dirty money into a Brisbane bank
A 36-year-old man who was allegedly caught trying to deposit $1 million in dirty money into a Brisbane bank has been arrested again at Sydney Airport.
The man was referred to the Australian Federal Police by ANZ Bank’s financial crime team in October, prompting police to launch an investigation into alleged money laundering.
An AFP spokesperson said that in the following months four men were charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime, with investigators claiming in court that they were part of a syndicate that laundered more than $10 million.
“The syndicate is suspected of coordinating the collection of criminal proceeds through ‘dead drops’ cash,” the spokesperson said.
“The funds would be deposited into online bank accounts linked to the syndicate and then quickly converted into cryptocurrency.”
Police will allege the group has links to Sydney-based organized crime figures in Korea and the Middle East.
The 36-year-old man was arrested in Brisbane in October after allegedly trying to deposit $1 million into a bank and was charged with handling money believed to be the proceeds of crime.
A 36-year-old man who was allegedly caught trying to deposit $1 million in dirty money into a Brisbane bank was re-arrested and led through Sydney airport (pictured)
Police allege the man tried to deposit $1 million at an ANZ branch in Brisbane (pictured)
He was released on bail and was due to appear in Brisbane District Court on December 6.
According to AFP, the same man was arrested again at Sydney Airport on Tuesday and charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more.
Two men, aged 51 and 38, were arrested on November 17 when officers raided five properties in Sydney’s Milsons Point, Concord, Strathfield and Rhodes.
Money counting machines, two luxury watches, receipts, electronic devices and cigarette production equipment were seized.
The fourth man, 34, was arrested days later on November 25.
Each of the men was taken into custody on charges of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more.
Detective Acting Chief Inspector Luke Needham said the arrests showed the AFP was “ruthless” in prosecuting those allegedly responsible for laundering dirty money through Australia’s financial systems.
“This criminal activity not only funds a high-flying lifestyle, but often funds future criminal activity by offshore and Australian syndicates,” he said.
Luxury watches were seized. Image: Supplied/Australian Federal Police.
“The dedicated work of Taskforce Avarus means that those involved in money laundering and financial crime should be aware that the AFP is working to track down and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”
ANZ’s Head of Financial Crime Threat Management Milan Gigovic said the bank was committed to protecting the financial system from criminal exploitation.
“With zero tolerance for criminal activity, we use analytics to proactively work with law enforcement and government partners to disrupt and prevent financial crime, while supporting investigations, prosecutions and the recovery of illicit assets,” he said.
The four men will appear in court at Sydney’s Downing Center on January 15.
