A Sydney solicitor has been charged after allegedly helping facilitate a scheme where properties worth $25 million were fraudulently purchased.Police also allege he laundered millions of dollars on behalf of a criminal syndicate that is accused of using stolen information to apply for loans through financial institutions to purchase “ghost cars” that did not exist.
The syndicate also allegedly orchestrated large-scale personal, business and home loan fraud.
The lawyer allegedly helped launder money for a criminal syndicate. (Supplied)
Police investigations led to an early morning raid by Raptor squad on a home in Punchbowl, where a 32-year-old man was arrested.
The man, a director and principal of a law firm, was charged with six counts of dishonestly obtaining financial advantage by deception, five counts of knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group that commits criminal activity.
He was refused bail to appear in Bankstown Local Court today.
A second search warrant was also executed at an office in Sydney’s CBD.
NSW Police have charged 24 people in rleation to the alleged fraud. (Supplied)
Police said investigations were ongoing, with multiple persons of interest already being charged.
“To date, we’ve charged mules, facilitators and financial professionals – including bankers – who played a role in enabling this criminal network,” said Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, the commander of the Financial Crimes Squad.
“This arrest is the first professional facilitator in a legal capacity charged under this strike force, and it sends a clear message that no role or qualification places anyone above the law.”
NSW Police say 24 people have been charged and remain before the courts, with the NSW Crime Commission having restrained $95 million in assets.
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