Technology student Bharghavrama Raju Kallepalli, 25, linked to $2m scam network

A Brisbane technology student has appeared in court over his alleged involvement as a “money mule” for a criminal network that scammed $2 million from elderly Australians.

A TECHNOLOGY student has been charged over his alleged involvement as a “money mule” for a criminal network that scammed two million dollars from elderly Australians.

Bharghavrama Raju Kallepalli, 25, of Eight Mile Plains, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court today, charged with recklessly engaging in money laundering.

Magistrate Anthony Gett said Kallepalli was alleged to have been involved with a large network of offenders who obtained millions of dollars through technology scams.

The sophisticated scams involved the use of multiple bank accounts opened in false names, to defraud two million dollars from eight elderly victims in Australia, the court heard.

Magistrate Gett said it was alleged that since November 24, Kallepalli had received $50,000 in tainted funds, which were deposited into accounts he had opened.

Mr Gett said another $16,000 was earmarked for transmission into his bank accounts, but it was intercepted by suspicious financial institutions.

Magistrate Gett said police alleged Kallepalli opened various bank accounts and provided log in details to other offenders.

He allegedly received a commission for money sent offshore.

“In effect, the allegations revolve around him being a money mule,” Mr Gett said.

It also was alleged that an elderly Victorian was defrauded of about $200,000 in April, in a scam using a different methodology.

Kallepalli and an associate went to electrical stores and using information from other people’s credit cards, bought $37,000 worth of phones and jewellery, police allege.

The items were resold and the money obtained was sent offshore, the court was told.

Kallepalli allegedly told police he was involved, but only as the driver of his co-offender, and he claimed he only received a small amount of money.

Mr Gett said CCCTV footage placed him at the stores and evidence from his phone showed he had identification and bank details of other people.

Messages on his phone only a few days ago showed details of other people’s personal bank accounts, passports and licence details, the magistrate said.

Mr Gett’s said Kallepalli’s financial details showed he received $10,000 from overseas deposits.

Kallepalli, who is studying at Oceana College of Technology, in Brisbane, told police his family in India had sent the money for his living expenses, but he had spent it at a casino.

The court heard Kallepalli has been in Australia on a full-time student visa and is unemployed.

Mr Gett said there were allegations of serious offending with Kallepalli operating bank accounts and using and possessing other people’s identification details.

He said there was a serious flight risk and he refused bail, adjourning the case until August 24.