Fraudsters' toll: NSW Police strike force takes down e-tag scammers in successful bust!
- Replies 2
In a world where technology is supposed to make our lives easier and more secure, it's a rude awakening when we find out that the very tools designed for convenience can be turned against us.
In a significant win against fraud, police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated operation that has been exploiting electronic toll systems.
This recent crackdown highlights the ongoing battle against fraudulent activities and the commitment of law enforcement to protect public resources and ensure justice is served.
The Financial Crimes Squad of New South Wales, with their aptly named ‘Strike Force Aratula’, brought to light a sophisticated criminal operation that has been running a fraudulent e-tag scheme, siphoning off more than $2.2 million over the course of five years.
E-tags, which are used to electronically collect tolls and streamline travel, became the vehicle for a complex fraud that could have affected any one of us.
The scheme involved selling e-tags that were linked to falsified payment methods, including fraudulent credit cards obtained from the dark web.
This shadowy corner of the internet, often associated with illicit activities, was the source of up to 10,000 compromised identities and banking details bought for $US150,000.
These were then linked to the e-tags and sold, primarily to unsuspecting taxi drivers, for a hefty profit.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, leading the charge against this syndicate, emphasised the gravity of the situation.
‘This investigation is about holding the alleged members of this syndicate accountable,’ he asserted.
‘Those, who are not only profiting from this scheme, but exploiting innocent people’s identities and credit card details to fund their fraud.’
The police operation culminated in a series of early morning raids across Smithfield, Blacktown, Punchbowl, and Granville from 5 am on Tuesday, May 28.
The haul from these raids was significant: 74 e-tags, numerous toll notices, electronic devices, $25,000 in cash, and even a 2019 Mercedes-AMG coupe.
In a twist of fate, a delivery of fraudulently purchased e-tags arrived at the Granville address just as the police were conducting their search.
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Smithfield and taken to Fairfield Police Station. He was charged with 204 fraud-related charges, dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The man was denied bail and appeared in Fairfield Local Court on May 29.
In Blacktown, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with 32 fraud-related offences, being an accessory before the fact in dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. He was also refused bail and appeared in Blacktown Local Court on May 28.
A 28-year-old man was arrested in Punchbowl and taken to Campsie Police Station. He was charged with 35 fraud-related offences and participating in a criminal group. The man was also denied bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on May 29.
However, the story doesn't end there. The NSW transport agencies, working alongside the detectives, conducted a compliance operation at Sydney Airport's domestic terminal.
They spoke to 200 taxi drivers and confiscated 12 e-tags believed to be part of the scheme.
The drivers found with fraudulent e-tags were questioned and released while further investigations continued.
The NSW police are urging anyone with information that may assist investigators to come forward. Crime Stoppers is available on 1800 333 000 or online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The recent crackdown on an elaborate e-tag fraud ring highlights the growing sophistication of criminal operations and the diligent efforts of law enforcement to combat them.
This successful bust is not an isolated incident, as police forces across the country are continuously working to dismantle various criminal networks.
In a related development, authorities arrested three men suspected of orchestrating a series of burglaries that netted over $1 million, further showcasing the ongoing battle against organised crime.
Have you or someone you know been affected by e-tag fraud or a similar scam? Share your experiences and tips for staying safe in the comments below.
In a significant win against fraud, police have successfully dismantled a sophisticated operation that has been exploiting electronic toll systems.
This recent crackdown highlights the ongoing battle against fraudulent activities and the commitment of law enforcement to protect public resources and ensure justice is served.
The Financial Crimes Squad of New South Wales, with their aptly named ‘Strike Force Aratula’, brought to light a sophisticated criminal operation that has been running a fraudulent e-tag scheme, siphoning off more than $2.2 million over the course of five years.
E-tags, which are used to electronically collect tolls and streamline travel, became the vehicle for a complex fraud that could have affected any one of us.
Strike Force Aratula discovered fake e-tags connected to fraudulent payment methods sold mainly to taxi drivers for up to five years. Credits: Shutterstock
The scheme involved selling e-tags that were linked to falsified payment methods, including fraudulent credit cards obtained from the dark web.
This shadowy corner of the internet, often associated with illicit activities, was the source of up to 10,000 compromised identities and banking details bought for $US150,000.
These were then linked to the e-tags and sold, primarily to unsuspecting taxi drivers, for a hefty profit.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja, leading the charge against this syndicate, emphasised the gravity of the situation.
‘This investigation is about holding the alleged members of this syndicate accountable,’ he asserted.
‘Those, who are not only profiting from this scheme, but exploiting innocent people’s identities and credit card details to fund their fraud.’
The police operation culminated in a series of early morning raids across Smithfield, Blacktown, Punchbowl, and Granville from 5 am on Tuesday, May 28.
The haul from these raids was significant: 74 e-tags, numerous toll notices, electronic devices, $25,000 in cash, and even a 2019 Mercedes-AMG coupe.
In a twist of fate, a delivery of fraudulently purchased e-tags arrived at the Granville address just as the police were conducting their search.
A 37-year-old man was arrested in Smithfield and taken to Fairfield Police Station. He was charged with 204 fraud-related charges, dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. The man was denied bail and appeared in Fairfield Local Court on May 29.
In Blacktown, a 38-year-old man was arrested and charged with 32 fraud-related offences, being an accessory before the fact in dealing with proceeds of crime, and participating in a criminal group. He was also refused bail and appeared in Blacktown Local Court on May 28.
A 28-year-old man was arrested in Punchbowl and taken to Campsie Police Station. He was charged with 35 fraud-related offences and participating in a criminal group. The man was also denied bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on May 29.
However, the story doesn't end there. The NSW transport agencies, working alongside the detectives, conducted a compliance operation at Sydney Airport's domestic terminal.
They spoke to 200 taxi drivers and confiscated 12 e-tags believed to be part of the scheme.
The drivers found with fraudulent e-tags were questioned and released while further investigations continued.
The NSW police are urging anyone with information that may assist investigators to come forward. Crime Stoppers is available on 1800 333 000 or online at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
The recent crackdown on an elaborate e-tag fraud ring highlights the growing sophistication of criminal operations and the diligent efforts of law enforcement to combat them.
This successful bust is not an isolated incident, as police forces across the country are continuously working to dismantle various criminal networks.
In a related development, authorities arrested three men suspected of orchestrating a series of burglaries that netted over $1 million, further showcasing the ongoing battle against organised crime.
.png){kind=icon}
