Online dating scam: Six men charged over alleged syndicate
NSW Police allege six Sydney men duped lovelorn unwitting victims into believing they had romantic prospects, with the syndicate netting millions of dollars.
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Six young men have been charged over an alleged $6 million online scam syndicate that involved luring unwitting victims to hand over money using fake dating profiles.
Police raided five home across Sydney this week and arrested the men, aged 26 to 35, before charging them with a slew of serious offences including participating in a criminal group.
Officers will allege in court the syndicate fraudulently obtained more than $6 million through online romance and email scams between April 2019 and February this year.
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It is alleged some of the cash was obtained through fake online dating profiles and accounts where syndicate members posed as romantic prospects to their unwitting victims.
They also allegedly altered invoices before emailing them to legitimate businesses for payments before transferring the dirty money into their personal accounts.
During the raids, police allegedly seized a replica pistol, drugs, clothing, mobile phones and computers.
Hayden Palmer was arrested with another man, both 26, at Caddens in Sydney’s west on Tuesday.
Palmer was charged with multiple offences including possessing an unauthorised pistol and seven counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court later on Wednesday.
The other 26-year-old was charged with seven counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime and was bailed to appear at Penrith Local Court on August 17.
Shepherd Khumalo, 28, of Dee Why and Soyiselwe Nolutshungu, 27, of Toongabbie were arrested and appeared at Manly Local Court on Tuesday.
Mr Khumalo has pleaded not guilty to charges including participate in criminal group and contribute in criminal activity.
He was also charged with two counts of recklessly deal with property proceeds of crime.
During court proceedings and in documents tendered in court police allege amounts of $59,294 and $100,000 appeared in Mr Khumalo’s account which have been linked to the alleged crimes involving the syndicate.
The prosecution opposed bail for reasons including the facts he was already on a Community Corrections Order for a previous offence.
“There’s been failure to appear on the court date and he has continued further offences,” Sergeant Peacock said.
“You will see these charges before you are extremely serious. This is a sophisticated criminal syndicate that this person is connected with.
“He went to Queensland for criminal activity... There are concerns where the community is concerned.”
Ms Hadlington, a lawyer from Legal Aid represented Mr Khumalo. While she agreed it was “a serious offence” she said bail conditions would address the prosecution’s concerns.
“He would reside at Dee Why, he lives there with his wife and a friend for the last four years. He is an Australian citizen and has been here for 20 years. He can report on bail,” Ms Hadlington said.
She also mentioned he did not benefit from the alleged offences.
“He said he agrees he received money but he said the Commonwealth bank acted on that money immediately. In the facts sheet there is no suggestion of him using that money.”
Magistrate Michelle Goodwin responded, stating “only because it was blocked”.
“It says here on the 2nd of September $59,294 was transferred in his bank account. And then there was $100,000 into his account,” Magistrate Goodwin said.
But Ms Hadlington said her client denied any wrongdoing in Queensland.
“Your honour, he did fly to Queensland to attend the World Cup and was not aware of any purchase but he said he did accompany this person [co-accused, Soyiselwe Nolutshungu].
“In relation to his record, yes, there are driving and drink driving matters but there’s nothing on dishonesty on his record. He’s on a community corrections order for High Range PCA.”
Magistrate Goodwins denied his bail application.
“His record shows he is on a Community Corrections Order and continues to offend and there are violent offences of his record.
“In my view the unacceptable risk of failing to appear is paramount. He’s part of a large network with access to large amounts of money. Bail must be refused.”
The matter was adjourned to July 21.
Soyiselwe Nolutshungu was charged with participate in criminal group and contribute in criminal activity.
He was also charged with three counts of deal with property proceeds of crime in relation to amounts of $25,000, $133,000 and $61,465.47.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges and Magistrate Goodwin denied his bail application with the matter adjourned to July 21.
“It was a Sophisticated operation involving large amounts of money. In my view there are unacceptable risks of reoffending.”
Bobby Ncube, 35, was arrested at a unit in Leichhardt and charged with 14 counts of recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime on Monday.
He was refused bail and will appear in Newtown Local Court on July 20.
Another man, 34, was arrested at a unit in Liverpool and charged with seven counts of recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.
He was granted bail to appear before Liverpool Local Court on August 5.