Adam Jones: Fraud alleged hit with 51 fresh charges
A former Liberal Party staffer was back in court where he was hit with 51 fresh charges in relation to allegations he was involved in a $13.5m fraud targeting everyday Aussies and businesses.
Central Sydney
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A former Liberal Party staffer has been hit with an additional 51 charges over his alleged involvement in a $13.5m identity theft operation.
Adam Jones, 32, was arrested back in February at a public library in Green Square.
He was back at Central Local Court on Thursday morning where Police Prosecutor Sgt Chris Manning told Magistrate Margaret Quinn a further 51 charges had been laid since Jones was last in court.
“Your honour can see the complexity of this matter,” he said.
Jones, who is in custody, did not appear in court via video link.
However detectives involved in his arrest sat at the back of the public gallery to watch proceedings.
His fresh charges include 29 counts of deal with identity info to commit indictable offence, 13 counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, seven counts of unauthorised function with intent to commit serious indictable offence, possess data with intent to commit computer offence and possess prohibited drug.
He is now facing a total of 75 charges relating to the alleged $13.5 million fraud after having already been hit with 24 charges in February.
The initial 24 charges include nine counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, 12 deal with identity info to commit etc indictable offence, possess identity info to commit etc indictable offence and two of use false document to obtain financial advantage.
The NSW Police Force’s Cybercrime Squad, together with South Australia Police (SAPOL), established Strike Force Cedrilla to investigate alleged modified payroll data and fraudulent bank accounts across NSW and South Australia.
Investigations said they identified that personal identification information had been acquired and used to modify payroll data, superannuation details and credit card records of several individuals across the country.
Further investigations revealed that the alleged fraudulent activities had been carried out by an individual based in South Australia from early 2019, and then in NSW from August 2019.
Police say the alleged $13.5m operation targeted individuals and companies across Australia.
Jones was arrested in February and officers seized his laptop and mobile phone.
Homes in Newtown and Erskineville were also searched and police seized mobiles phones, computers, electronic equipment, personal identification documentation, prohibited drugs, including liquid steroids; and cryptocurrency.
Police will allege that Jones obtained the millions of dollars through co-ordinated identify theft and the establishment of fraudulent accounts.
SAPOL investigators have also arrested a 32-year-old man and 28-year-old woman at a home in Seaton, South Australia. The pair have been charged and remain before the courts.
Jones is next due to appear at Central Local Court on July 23.