Rachel Jim: Ex-partner with links to $2 million fraud syndicate sentenced
A now heavily-pregnant 40-year-old who was involved in a major fraud syndicate has been sentenced. The court heard she used the cash to buy jewellery, groceries, shoes and even a new iron.
Central Sydney
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The ex-partner of a fraud syndicate mastermind who ripped off Westpac Bank by more than $2 million has been sentenced.
Rachel Jim used fraudulent bank cards to buy jewellery, groceries and shoes, the court heard.
The heavily-pregnant 40-year-old, from Ulladulla, appeared in Downing Centre Local Court on Friday to be sentenced for two fraud offences.
Jim was formerly in a relationship with Joseph La Hood who was a key player behind a large-scale fraud syndicate.
The agreed facts stated La Hood and the criminal group defrauded Westpac Bank of over $2 million.
Last year La Hood was jailed for seven years and co-accused Dean Ryan was jailed for five years and 10 months over their roles in the syndicate.
“Police investigations revealed that Ryan, La Hood and members of a criminal group would attend addresses around the Sydney metropolitan area and take mail from mailboxes,” the agreed facts stated.
“Joseph La Hood and Dean Ryan individually and together created bank accounts, opened credit cards and took out loans in people’s names.”
While police were monitoring La Hood in 2018, they installed a listening device in his car.
“Police recorded a conversation in the car where it became apparent that La Hood had stolen mail from the Queen Victoria Building,” the agreed facts stated.
“During the conversation, Rachel Jim can be heard opening the mail for La Hood while he drove and then describing the contents to him.”
She was also caught on CCTV shopping with La Hood at different locations during 2018 and making purchases with bank cards in other people’s names.
That included $2880 on jewellery, $111 on groceries, $139 on an iron and other items, and $140 on women’s sandals.
Jim was originally charged with nine offences following her arrest in September 2018.
However, all but two of those offences were later dropped.
She pleaded guilty to the two offences of dishonestly obtain property by deception and deal with identity information to commit indictable offence, and fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Friday for sentence.
Her defence lawyer Bryan Wrench told the court Jim was in a bad relationship at the time and the offending would never have taken place if it was not for her partner.
Mr Wrench said she had taken excellent steps to improve herself since then including completing a drug program. He also said the large purchase of jewellery was not for herself.
Magistrate Greg Elks convicted her and sentenced her to a community correction order for a period of two years.
“You have made a great deal of progress and that is the only reason I did not look at something more serious,” he said.