A Murwillumbah woman is one of six people who have been charged by Cybercrime Squad detectives as part of an ongoing investigation into a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in laundering money via cryptocurrency.
In September last year, detectives from the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Curns to investigate a criminal syndicate involved in cyber-enabled money laundering.
So far during the investigation, strike force detectives have charged seven people – two men and five women – over their alleged roles in the syndicate.
Following further inquiries, Cybercrime Squad detectives, with the assistance from Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers, issued a further six people with Court Attendance Notices (CAN) in Queensland last month.
Six people charged
The 23-year-old woman from Murwillumbah was charged with participate in criminal group, and four counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
The other five charged were a 23-year-old Nerang man who was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and five counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 33-year-old Mount Gravatt man who was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and four counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 46-year-old Main Beach man who was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal, and two counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 66-year-old Paradise Point man who was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and five counts of recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
A 67-year-old Surfers Paradise man who was charged with participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime.
All six people are due to appear at Central Local Court today – Monday 31 May.
Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, said this was an organised criminal group who were operating across state and territory borders.
‘Cybercrime investigators across the country and internationally are collaborating more and more and sharing real-time information in a bid to disrupt and prevent cyber-criminals from causing harm,’ said Det Supt Craft.
‘What Strike Force Curns represents is those relationships being put into practice and law enforcement coming together nationally to make a real difference.
‘Individuals may think if they target victims in NSW from outside our jurisdiction that they are safe, however they should be assured the Cybercrime Squad is actively watching.’
Investigations are continuing.
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