NSW Police Force have reported that Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a further six people as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in laundering money via cryptocurrency.
In the release, police referred to Strike Force Curns, established in October last year with detectives from the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in cyber-enabled money laundering.
Last month, detectives arrested a 30-year-old man and seized $1 million cash during a vehicle stop at Strathfield. The man was charged with 24 offences and remains before the courts.
Following further investigations, Cybercrime Squad detectives arrested six people – a man and five women – across Sydney on Wednesday, 10 March 2021.
Search warrants were executed in Newington and Strathfield, where mobile phones, laptops and tablets were seized.
A 48-year-old Newington man was charged with seven counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime with intent to conceal and participate in criminal group contribute criminal activity.
Police will allege in court the man was involved in the cryptocurrency money laundering syndicate and deposited cash into fraudulent bank accounts.
A 24-year-old Strathfield woman was charged with participate in criminal group contribute to criminal activity and four counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime. Police allege she was involved in the cryptocurrency money laundering syndicate and dealt with proceeds of crime to the value of $3 million.
A 24-year-old Homebush West woman, a 23-year-old Denham Court woman and 23-year-old Newington woman, were all charged with three counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. A 23-year-old Concord woman was charged with two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime and two counts of accessory before the fact to recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
All five women were granted strict conditional bail to appear at Central Local Court on Monday 19 April 2021.
Investigations by the Cybercrime Squad are continuing.
