Three men and a woman have been charged with money laundering after an investigation into a sophisticated crime network involving a Brisbane law firm.

November 25, 2020

Three men and one woman have been charged with money laundering and fraud after an investigation into a sophisticated organised crime network involving a Brisbane law firm.

The group allegedly defrauded numerous financial institutions and laundered the proceeds from serious criminal offences, the Crime and Corruption Commission said on Wednesday.

A Gold Coast man, 45, has been charged with five counts of aggravated fraud, 89 counts of fraud, seven counts of fraudulently falsifying records and six counts of money laundering.

He is also currently before the courts on a separate count of money laundering relating to the seizure of $97,000 in cash in February.

A Brisbane man, 42, was charged with six counts of aggravated fraud, 77 counts of fraud, seven counts of fraudulently falsifying records and seven counts of money laundering.

He was previously charged with 12 counts of supplying a dangerous drug and one count of money laundering also related to the seizure of the $97,000.

A Gold Coast woman, 37, was charged with one count of aggravated fraud, 76 counts of fraud, three counts of fraudulently falsifying records and three counts of money laundering.

And a Gold Coast man, 36, was charged with 12 counts of fraud, two counts of fraudulently falsifying records, one count of money laundering and one count of perjury.

All four are scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 11.

The CCC expects to lay further charges.

Chairman Alan MacSporran QC said the large scale of the alleged offending demonstrates why the CCC continues to focus on those people who enable major organised crime.

“Sophisticated business models, specialised systems and expertise are needed for organised crime groups to operate effectively,” he said.

“It is disappointing and concerning some of the allegations relate to the legal profession.”