Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Cars, cash and handbags seized in money laundering bust
Two men have been charged after police uncovered an alleged money laundering syndicate selling luxury goods overseas.
February 2, 2024
Hundreds of designer handbags, luxury cars and more than a million dollars of cash have been seized after police busted an illegal money laundering operation with international links.
Two men, aged 36 and 55, have been charged, with detectives in Western Australia also seizing about 300 fraudulent bank cards, land and expensive watches worth more than $6 million.
Police allege the cash and bank cards were used to commit money laundering offences and the proceeds of the crimes funded the purchase of the luxury items.
Officers raided two Perth properties on Friday and allegedly found 209 handbags, watches worth $1.7 million and three vehicles valued at about $200,000 each.
Detectives believe a number of the luxury items were sent overseas and sold at a higher value than they cost in Australia, allowing the syndicate to move profits and GST claims offshore.
Land assets worth about $2.4 million have also been seized and frozen.
The 36-year-old was charged with a proceeds of crime offence and is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The 55-year-old was charged with the same offence and one count of possession of stolen or unlawfully obtained property.
He is scheduled to appear in the same court on Friday.