Financial Crimes Squad detectives have charged a man and executed two search warrants, including in Parramatta, as part of an investigation into an allegedly fraudulent finance and loan applications under Strike Force Onsite.
Strike Force Onsite was established by State Crime Command’s Financial Crimes Squad – Fraud Unit in July 2023 to investigate a large-scale fraud syndicate involved in allegedly making fraudulent loan and finance applications to car dealerships and other finance companies.
It’s alleged between September 2022 to July 2023, the syndicate applied for fraudulent finance applications to at least three companies to the value of $2,147,535.00.
Following extensive inquiries, about 9am on Friday, January 19, Strike Force detectives, with the assistance of the Northwest Metropolitan Operations Support Group, executed two search warrants at a residence in Wentworth Falls and a business premises in Parramatta.
During searches at the properties, police located and seized multiple items including computers, mobile phones and financial documents.
At the Parramatta address, police arrested a 62-year-old man, who was taken to Merrylands Police Station where he was charged with 25 counts of make false documents.
The man was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday, February 14.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Acting Superintendent Con Galea, said officers have today further disrupted a criminal syndicate that allegedly utilises professional services to facilitate fraudulent car dealership finance applications.
“These organised crime syndicates use their skills and knowledge of business practices to generate further wealth for themselves and other criminal associates,” Galea said.
“To date, seven motor vehicles, which are alleged to be the proceeds of crime, have been seized by Strike Force Onsite Detectives and we are continuing to work in close collaboration with financial institutions to uncover the full extent of the alleged crimes committed.”
Investigations under Strike Force Onsite continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.