Brothers behind a half-a-million-dollar scam have been charged in court
We all know life can be tough, especially when you’re trying to make ends meet.
That said, there’s nothing worse than when somebody takes advantage of innocent people and deceives them out of their hard-earned cash.
This week, two alleged scammers—brothers Cameron and Steven Meneghetti—were charged in Melbourne for an alleged months-long financial crime spree that swindled more than $500,000 from other Aussies.
The biggest scam reportedly happened on April 13, with Steven, aged 29, orchestrating a transfer of $500,019—knowing all this money sourced from crime.
The police also alleged Steven committed multiple fraudulent fund transfers ranging from $7,132 to more than $500,000.
The Victorian Financial Crime Squad charged Steven with 11 counts of financial crime, in relation to the transfers.
Steven was also charged with firearms offences and drug possession.
His younger brother Cameron, aged 21, was also accused of transferring $250,000 on June 15 despite knowing it was gained from crime.
Cameron was also charged for a $40,019 fund transfer on July 8.
The full details of the scam have yet to be revealed. The two brothers are out on bail and will reappear in court for a committal mention—an initial meeting done before a case is heard in court—on November 21.
The scam is one of many that take place in Australia each year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported that Aussies lost $3.1 billion to scams in 2022, a staggering 80 per cent increase on the previous year.
When it comes to our own safety and protecting our wallets, the SDC recommends being careful and vigilant when browsing online and using the internet.
You can always access our Scam Watch forum, where members share scam stories and tips on avoiding being victims of scams. This is also where we post news of recent scams circulating online.
One example is the online investment scam that duped $800,000 from multiple people. The accused scammer created fake websites pretending to be a legitimate financial institution.
He was charged with five counts of obtaining property by deception and five counts of possessing the proceeds of crime. You may learn more about the story here.
Another story we shared is about a woman who fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000. The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information. You may learn more about the story here.
If you are worried that someone may have scammed you, it’s always best to contact relevant authorities and let them know. Report any suspicious activities immediately to your bank, the police, and to Scamwatch through this link: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
What do you think of this story, members? Let us know in the comments below!
That said, there’s nothing worse than when somebody takes advantage of innocent people and deceives them out of their hard-earned cash.
This week, two alleged scammers—brothers Cameron and Steven Meneghetti—were charged in Melbourne for an alleged months-long financial crime spree that swindled more than $500,000 from other Aussies.
The biggest scam reportedly happened on April 13, with Steven, aged 29, orchestrating a transfer of $500,019—knowing all this money sourced from crime.
The police also alleged Steven committed multiple fraudulent fund transfers ranging from $7,132 to more than $500,000.
The Victorian Financial Crime Squad charged Steven with 11 counts of financial crime, in relation to the transfers.
Steven was also charged with firearms offences and drug possession.
His younger brother Cameron, aged 21, was also accused of transferring $250,000 on June 15 despite knowing it was gained from crime.
Cameron was also charged for a $40,019 fund transfer on July 8.
The full details of the scam have yet to be revealed. The two brothers are out on bail and will reappear in court for a committal mention—an initial meeting done before a case is heard in court—on November 21.
The scam is one of many that take place in Australia each year. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reported that Aussies lost $3.1 billion to scams in 2022, a staggering 80 per cent increase on the previous year.
When it comes to our own safety and protecting our wallets, the SDC recommends being careful and vigilant when browsing online and using the internet.
You can always access our Scam Watch forum, where members share scam stories and tips on avoiding being victims of scams. This is also where we post news of recent scams circulating online.
One example is the online investment scam that duped $800,000 from multiple people. The accused scammer created fake websites pretending to be a legitimate financial institution.
He was charged with five counts of obtaining property by deception and five counts of possessing the proceeds of crime. You may learn more about the story here.
Another story we shared is about a woman who fell victim to a phone scam, losing her life savings amounting to $21,000. The scammer posed as a representative from the Commonwealth Bank fraud department, led her to download an app, and gained access to her account information. You may learn more about the story here.
If you are worried that someone may have scammed you, it’s always best to contact relevant authorities and let them know. Report any suspicious activities immediately to your bank, the police, and to Scamwatch through this link: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam.
Key Takeaways
- Two brothers, Steven and Cameron Meneghetti, have been charged with organising multiple funds transfers and allegedly scamming over $500,000 from Australians.
- The largest single scam orchestrated by Steven Meneghetti was allegedly a transfer of $500,019 gathered from criminal activity.
- Cameron Meneghetti is also charged with organising a transfer of $250,000, knowing it was from criminal activity, as well as a transfer of $40,018.
- The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reports that Australians lost $3.1 billion to scams in 2022, an 80 per cent increase in 2021.
What do you think of this story, members? Let us know in the comments below!