Sydney man’s alleged $3.5m NT government scam

An alleged scammer has been arrested and charged after allegedly convincing one Australian government to transfer him more than $3.5m of taxpayers dollars.

A Sydney scammer has been arrested and charged after convincing the Northern Territory government to transfer him over $3.m in taxpayers dollars.

The Australian Federal Police launched an investigation in November 2024 after a bank reported a suspected business email compromise incident resulting in $3.5m being stolen from a government agency.

The police will allege that on November 7 last year, the NT government agency received an email from someone they believed to be a contractor from a construction company they were working with.

The alleged scammer queuing up to withdraw money from the scam. Picture: AFP

The email reportedly included forged details such as a completed vendor identification form with new bank account details and appeared to copy in other individuals from the construction firm.

Investigators allege the man registered a business with a name similar to that of the legitimate contractor and opened a bank account to receive the misappropriated funds.

The agency then transferred $3,583,363 to the allegedly fraudulent account, believing it was associated with the genuine construction company.

The email addresses that appeared to belong to employees of the construction company were allegedly fake and created to make the scheme appear authentic. Further investigation into the phone number listed on the vendor form allegedly led police to the suspect.

While most of the funds were recovered, authorities allege the man accessed a portion of the stolen money with approximately $11,603 still unaccounted for.

Police also allege the man made several cash withdrawals from the bank account containing the stolen funds.

The scam initially resulted in $3.5m stolen from the government agency. Picture: istock

On 23 July 2025, the AFP executed a search warrant at his home, seizing electronic devices and documents linked to the company he had established.

The man has been charged with one count of dealing with proceeds of crime – money or property worth $1m or more.

The maximum penalty of the offence is 12 years in prison.

AFP Detective Superintendent Marie Andersson said the incident functioned as a timely warning for businesses and individuals to stay alert for potential scams.

“In the 2023-2024 financial year, business email compromise and fraud were among the most common self-reported cybercrimes for small, medium and large businesses and individuals in Australia,” Superintendent Andersson said.

The alleged scammer queuing up to withdraw money from the scam. Picture: AFP

“It is crucial to double check emails, particularly if there is a request for a change in banking details.

“Call the party you are engaged with to confirm the request is legitimate – and use a phone number that you’ve previously used or independently verified – don’t call a number in the suspicious email.

“If you have fallen victim, report it immediately to your bank and the police to give us the best chance of recovering your money.

“As a result of quick action and preventive measures undertaken by the bank involved, $3,571,760 of the allegedly stolen money was recovered.”

The Lurnea man, 38, appeared in Liverpool Local Court in Sydney week. He granted conditional bail and he is set to appear at Campbelltown Local Court on September 17.

Originally published as Sydney man’s alleged $3.5m NT government scam