Two Queensland men charged over $4.5 million money laundering
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
The Australian Federal Police has charged two Queensland men allegedly involved in a $4.5 million dollar money laundering operation since February 2021.
After an eight-month investigation, police arrested and charged a Helensvale man, 67, and a Graceville man, 53.
It’s alleged the Helensvale man used personal information from clients of his consultancy business to open fraudulent bank accounts without their knowledge.
Police said the Graceville man supplied millions of dollars thought to be proceeds of crime to be deposited into the accounts in an effort to avoid detection by authorities.
Search warrants were executed at addresses in Helensvale, Graceville, Bardon, and Brisbane City on Monday as part of the investigation.
Police seized $70,000 cash from two safes hidden under stairs at a Bardon property, while $160,000 cash was seized from a safe at the home of the Helensvale man.
The Graceville man is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court charged with conspiring to deal in the proceeds of general crime, while the Helensvale man will face Southport Magistrates Court on the same charge.
The Helensvale man has also been charged with 29 offences under the Commonwealth Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing Act.
Acting Commander Investigations Northern Command, Adrian Telfer, said the AFP was committed to dismantling money laundering enterprises that enabled organised criminal activity.
“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.
“We will continue to target the structures that enable organised crime to hide their wealth. We can’t rule out more arrests as our investigators follow the money.”
