Khaja Asfiya: Bankstown woman allegedly laundered $1.2 million through telephone scams
A woman who allegedly used fake and stolen identities to launder $1.2 million through telephone scams has appeared in court for the first time.
The Express
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A Bankstown woman who allegedly used fake and stolen identities to launder $1.2m has appeared in court for the first time.
Khaja Begum Asfiya, 36, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday in relation to a charge of deal with property proceeds of crime greater than $100,000. No plea has been entered.
The woman was arrested at an office on George St, Sydney in May after a police investigation, named Strike Force Artal, was launched in July last year. She was taken to Day Street police station where she was charged.
A NSW Police statement issued on Asfiya’s arrest said it was alleged the Bankstown woman used false and stolen identities to launder $1.2m received through telephone scams into gift cards, gambling accounts and other bank accounts.
As part of the strike force investigation, detectives arrested a 27-year-old man in February in Campsie where he was charged with recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He remains before the courts.
As part of the investigation, officers executed a search warrant at a Bankstown home on May 16 and police found mobile phones, electronic storage devices and cash. The items were seized to undergo forensic examination.
On Wednesday, the court heard the Director of Public Prosecutions had elected to prosecute the charge.
Asfiya’s lawyer Zynal Khan said he was “in the court’s hands in respect to the next court date”, however asked for it to marry up with the co-accused man from Campsie.
The police prosecutor told the court the matter would ordinarily be adjourned for eight weeks, however, given the co-accused’s court appearance in two weeks, she asked for August 24.
Registrar Tim Henderson accepted the date, saying the brief of evidence needed to be served by August 9.
He also accepted Mr Khan’s request for his client to be excused on the next occasion.
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