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Four suspected members of a cybercriminal gang have been arrested and charged for allegedly laundering nearly $2 million.
Australia has faced a wave of cyberattacks in recent years, with both businesses and government agencies targeted by malicious actors. The attacks have been attributed to a range of actors, from nation-states to criminal groups.
Despite these efforts, cybersecurity remains a significant challenge for Australian businesses and organisations. As more and more activity moves online, the threat of cyberattacks will continue to grow, and effective cybersecurity measures will be crucial in protecting against them.
This week, four people have been charged after allegedly laundering almost $2 million in funds stolen by a “sophisticated” cybercriminal gang.
The gang is accused of using phishing emails and other tactics to access the victims’ bank accounts before transferring the funds to a network of “money mules” who would then withdraw the cash and launder it through various means.
The Australian Federal Police believes that the cyber attackers were responsible for the 15 complex attacks from January 2020 to March 2023.
The police investigation, which began in October 2021, led to the identification of two women from Brisbane, a man from Melbourne and a man from Adelaide, who were allegedly linked to the cyberattack, and the group is also believed to have connections to criminal syndicates in South Africa.
On March 23, detectives carried out raids in various country states. As a result of the raids, the authorities seized counterfeit passports, international driver’s licences, high-end handbags, and digital devices, which will undergo forensic analysis.
“AFP investigators identified two Brisbane women, a Melbourne man, and an Adelaide man whom allegedly laundered the proceeds from the cyber fraud and were operating as a cybercrime syndicate with links to South Africa,” an Australian Federal Police (AFP) spokesman said.
The four individuals suspected to be part of the cybercrime gang have been charged with multiple offences, and if found guilty, they could face over 60 years in prison. They are expected to attend court hearings in the next few weeks.
“Educate yourself on the latest scams and take the time to triple check the details of your transactions – not doing so could cost you your life savings,” said AFP cybercrime operations Commander Chris Goldsmid.
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