Qld lawyer on money laundering charges

Laine Clark | October 25, 2022

A high-profile Brisbane lawyer has been granted bail after being arrested for his alleged involvement in a multi-million dollar laundering syndicate.

Michael Frederick Bosscher, 53, was one of two Queensland men charged following an Australian Federal Police investigation that began in February.

The lawyer and a 67-year-old Helensvale man were arrested for allegedly laundering $4.5 million in cash since February 2021.

Bosscher is accused of supplying millions of dollars – which are suspected proceeds of crime – to be deposited into fraudulent bank accounts in an effort to avoid detection by authorities.

Police said the Helensvale man used personal information from five clients of his consultancy business to open the fraudulent bank accounts in their names without their knowledge.

Investigators executed search warrants at addresses in Helensvale, Graceville, Bardon and Brisbane City on Monday.

Police said $70,000 cash was seized from two safes that were hidden under stairs and a cash counter at a Bardon premises.

Another $160,000 in cash was seized from a safe at the home of the Helensvale man.

Police have also seized mobile phones for further forensic examination.

Bosscher appeared via video link in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He is charged with conspiring to deal in the proceeds of general crime and at the time of dealing the value of the money or property was $1 million or more.

Acting magistrate Rowan Silva granted Bosscher bail which was opposed by the Crown.

Bosscher must report twice a week to police, live at his Graceville address and not contact the Helensvale man, a prosecution witness or seven other people who are part of the investigation.

Bosscher also must not leave Queensland, go within 500m of an international departure point, and must surrender his passport and have only one phone.

His matter will be back in court for mention on December 2.

The Helensvale man is due to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

He is facing a string of charges including conspiring to deal in the proceeds of general crime and at the time of dealing the value of the money or property was $1 million or more.

The charges relate to the movement of millions of dollars in 35 transactions over a 20-month period, commonwealth prosecutor Christopher Moore told the court.

“Investigations are ongoing in relation to the movement of the money and a forensic accountant has been engaged to assist with that process,” he said.

The AFP did not rule out more arrests as they “follow the money”.

“Money laundering is the backbone of organised crime. Money is the sole reason organised crime exists and taking away their ill-gotten wealth is a key priority for the AFP,” AFP Acting Commander Investigations Northern Command Adrian Telfer said.

“We will continue to target the structures that enable organised crime to hide their wealth and can’t rule out more arrests as our investigators follow the money.”