Man to front court over alleged cybercrime syndicate, ‘smishing scam’

A 28-year-old man will front court accused of being part of an alleged money laundering syndicate using ‘smishing’ methods and stolen credit cards to scam people.

A man is facing additional charges accused of running an alleged money laundering syndicate using ‘smishing’ methods and stolen credit cards.

Police allege the syndicate used stolen credit cards, personal identifications documents, and a SMS ‘smishing’ scam to fraudulently obtain funds from people.

Smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending SMS messages purporting to be from a reputable entity to obtain personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and bank account details from the recipient.

A 28-year-old man will appear before Central Local Court building at Liverpool Street in Sydney after he was charged with alleged cybercrime and drug syndicate involvement.

Earlier this year, detectives searched two units, one in Haymarket and one in Zetland.

During the searches, officers seized methylamphetamine (ice), cannabis, cash, electronic devices and fraudulent credit cards.

Two men, aged 23 and 28, were arrested and charged over their alleged roles in the syndicate and remain before the courts.

The older man is now facing additional six charges as a result of ongoing investigations.

The 28-year-old was charged with two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, possess identity info to commit indictable offence, deal with identity info to commit indictable offence, manufacture prohibited drug more than indictable quantity (not cannabis), and one count of supply prohibited drug more than indictable amount.

He is due to appear in Central Local Court on Tuesday.

Investigations under Strike Force Bidgee are continuing.