Inside lair of a 'credit card fraudster': Australians lose thousands in 'elaborate scam' as police seize $50k worth of handbags and 150 mobile phones
- A woman, 42, and two men, 44 and 41, were arrested in Sydney's east Thursday
- More than 70 charges have been laid over an alleged money laundering scheme
- Police will allege stolen personal information was used to acquire credit cards
- Cards were then used to obtain cash - police have seized over $50k in goods
- The arrests follow a six-month cyber-fraud investigation by Strike Force Bilkurra
- The trio was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court on Thursday
Three people are facing more than 70 charges over their alleged involvement in a huge money laundering and identity theft syndicate targeting 'hard-working' Australians.
During raids at homes in Eastgardens, South Coogee and Randwick on Wednesday, police allegedly found 150 mobile phones, 300 credit cards and 18g of ice.
Detectives seized more than 300 sim cards, as well as computers and electronic equipment, as they uncovered the slick alleged scam.
Vision from the raid shows police discovering luxury handbags valued at $50,000 and kept in glass cases, as they seized a Land Rover and Holden Commodore.
Police also found $11,950 in cash and numerous personal identification documents.
A 42-year-old woman was arrested in Eastgardens (pictured), in Sydney's southeast, on Thursday. Police will allege she directed the syndicate and obtained more than $150,000 through money laundering and identity theft
A 44-year-old man (pictured) was also arrested at the Eastgardens home. Police will allege he was involved in the syndicate and obtained nearly $300,000 through cyber-enabled fraudulent activities
Officers allege stolen personal information was used to acquire credit cards, which were then used to get cash, cryptocurrency, telecommunication equipment and household goods.
Cybercrime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Matthew Craft said the syndicate involved in large-scale identity theft and money laundering.
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The sophisticated syndicate had targeted 'hard-working Australians across the state', he said.
A 42-year-old woman and 44-year-old man were arrested at the Eastgardens home and taken to Mascot Police Station.
The woman was charged with 20 offences including knowingly directing the activities of a criminal group, dealing with property proceeds of crime and 18 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
It will be alleged the woman directed the syndicate and obtained more than $150,000 through money laundering and identity theft.
Detectives seized 150 mobile phones (pictured) with notes attached to them reading 'Paid back credit Sep' and more than 300 sim cards during searches of the property
Luxury handbags (pictured) valued at $50,000 and a Land Rover and Holden Commodore were also seized
The man was charged with 35 offences including participating in a criminal group, dealing with identity information to commit an indictable offence, dealing with property proceeds of crime and 32 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the man was involved in the syndicate and obtained nearly $300,000 through cyber-enabled fraudulent activities.
A 41-year-old man was arrested at the South Coogee home and charged with 18 offences including participating in a criminal group, breach of bail and 16 counts of knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police will allege the man was involved in the syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime worth more than $27,000.
The trio was refused bail to appear before Central Local Court on Thursday.
A 41-year-old man was arrested in South Coogee (pictured). Police will allege he was involved in the syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime worth more than $27,000
