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NSW Police Cybercrime Squad detectives have charged a man over allegedly using multiple fraudulent identities to open cryptocurrency accounts online.
Last month, detectives attached to the State Crime Command’s Cybercrime Squad established Strike Force Decima to investigate a 28-year-old man allegedly opening several online cryptocurrency accounts utilising false documentation.
It’s further alleged the man fraudulently obtained $22,000 from other bank accounts to transfer into cryptocurrency.
Following extensive inquiries, with assistance from Queensland Police Service and the Australian Federal Police Cybercrime Units, strike force detectives executed a Commonwealth search warrant at a home in Upper Coomera, Queensland, last Thursday (18 August 2022).
During the search, police seized a number of items including false ID documentation and a printer allegedly used to manufacture fraudulent documents.
A 28-year-old man was arrested at the scene by virtue of seven outstanding NSW arrest warrants.
The man appeared at Southport Magistrates Court where detectives applied for, and were granted, the man’s extradition to NSW.
He was escorted on a flight to Sydney, where he was taken to Mascot Police Station.
According to Cybercrime Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft, the cooperation from partner agency’s cyber crime units assisted in the quick identification and arrest of the alleged offender.
"Police will allege the man was attempting to assume more than a dozen identities, however through quick collaboration with the digital currency exchange and financial institutions, we were able to bring this to a swift resolution.
“Individuals may think because they live interstate, but they target NSW residents that they are safe from our laws, but they should be aware that the Cybercrime Squads are always watching,” Detective Superintendent Craft said.
The outstanding warrants were executed, and the man was charged with 16 offences including using false customer name to receive service, possession of equipment for making false document, dealing in identification information and using it to commit fraud and possessing identification info with the intent, section 372.1 fraud.
The man was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Saturday 20 August 2022. He is due to reappear at Downing Centre Local Court today (Thursday 23 August 2022).
Cyber crime units across Australia will continue to work together, according to Queensland Police Service's Acting Superintendent Michael Newman as cyber criminals do not see state boundaries.
“This is a valuable reminder to people across Australia that cyber crime squads across the nation are working together to locate and put offenders before the courts,” Newman said.
Investigations by Strike Force Decima are ongoing.
[Related: 1 in 5 Aussies encounter scams on a daily basis, new research reveals]
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