Luxury items ripped from home of alleged St Albans identity thief accused of stealing millions from boy’s inheritance
A St Albans man has been accused of funding his high-roller lifestyle by stealing the identity of an unsuspecting grandmother before allegedly ripping millions of dollars from her bank account.
Victoria
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A family’s high-roller lifestyle was allegedly funded by a brazen identity thief who ripped off millions of dollars from an unsuspecting woman’s inheritance for her grandson.
The 38-year-old St Albans man allegedly stole more than $2 million, which he used to rack up a fleet of luxury cars, including a Jaguar and three Mercedes Benz, along with luxury bags, jewellery, furniture and home appliances.
He allegedly fronted the money for the high-end goods by ripping off the identity of a woman who had left Melbourne to return to China almost a decade ago by breaking into her empty Balwyn home and swiping her unopened mail.
Investigators will allege he then broke into her bank accounts and transferred himself the $2.3 million, which had been set aside to pass down to the woman’s grandson.
The man is believed to be the ringleader of the fraud operation, which also helped pay for luxury goods for his mother and brother.
Police say the woman remained completely oblivious to the major theft until investigators began probing “suspicious shopping activity” linked to the man in May.
In the span of just two months, he purchased at least six vehicles, diamond jewellery, Rolex watches, televisions, couches and fridges.
He also allegedly trafficked drugs and had heroin and meth in his possession, as well as an imitation gun.
Police raided three properties across Keilor Downs, South Morang and the man’s St Albans home last week, where they found him, a 45-year-old woman and a young girl asleep inside.
The man now faces 23 charges, including: opening an account with cash dealer in a false name, two counts of operate account with cash dealer in false name, handle/receive/retention of stolen goods, four counts obtain property by deception, three counts of theft, three counts of drive while disqualified, provide false or misleading information, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, prohibited person possess imitation firearm, traffick drug of dependence, possess heroin, and possess methylamphetamine.
It is understood a 67-year-old woman and a 40-year-old man arrested at other properties during the raid were the man’s mother and brother.
They and the 45-year-old woman were released pending further inquiries.
There, they uncovered Burberry, Louis Vuitton and Versace branded clothing.
The home was full of other items allegedly bought with the stolen funds, including a dining table and chairs, a washing machine, dryer, mattress, entertainment units, lounge suits and a mattress.
The man’s penchant for the high life came crashing down like a house of cards on Thursday as investigators removed a string of playing card-themed artwork from his double storey townhouse.
Meanwhile, removalists towed away his matte black Mercedes C63 Coupe parked inside his garage.
Officers could be seen pulling the items out of the property in front of shocked neighbours last week before the man and woman were arrested.
Melbourne East Neighbourhood Policing Team Sergeant Stacey Maliko said the victim was shocked to learn such a large sum of her money had gone missing.
“This money was really important to them for the future of their grandson,” she said.
“Identification theft is a serious crime, and then to not just steal the ID, but to be able to take over such a large amount of money and then spend that money on luxury items, (that’s) extremely serious.
“Identity theft is not an easy process, it’s a calculated and methodical crime that requires a significant level of time, organisation and planning.
“If you’re going to look at doing this kind of stuff, police will find you and we’ll come knocking on your door.”
The St Albans man was remanded to appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in January next year.
Anyone with information about identity theft should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Originally published as Luxury items ripped from home of alleged St Albans identity thief accused of stealing millions from boy’s inheritance
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