Three people charged over an alleged $1.5 million immigration scam will face court in Sydney next month.
Police launched an investigation in February, 2021, following reports a 46-year-old woman had allegedly been defrauded of $1.5 million while trying to arrange an Australian visa.
On May 4 this year, a 36-year-old man was arrested in Narwee, in Sydney’s south.
He was charged with dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, recklessly deal with proceeds of crime greater than $5000, officer publish false misleading statement to deceive, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
He was granted strict conditional bail to appear before court on June 6.
Following further inquiries, detectives yesterday searched a home in Turramurra in Sydney’s north-west.
They seized mobile phones, laptops, hard drives, passports, and documents.
A 42-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were arrested at the home.
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The 42-year-old man was charged with dishonestly obtain property by deception, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime – serious indictable offence, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal – serious indictable offence, and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 39-year-old woman was charged with three counts of use false document to obtain financial advantage, two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, two counts of participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, and knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal – serious indictable offence.
Police will allege the three people worked at an immigration company in Sydney and were hired by the 46-year-old woman to help obtain Australian citizenship for herself and her family in exchange for $1.5 million in 2017.
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It will further be alleged they transferred the $1.5 million into personal bank accounts and were forging documents, including citizenship documents, without helping the woman secure an Australian visa.
The two people arrested yesterday were granted strict conditional bail and will appear in court on June 14.
The investigation continues.
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