Tina Montana, Maria and Larry Williams charged after investigation into alleged scammer ‘psychics’
A Sydney group accused of scamming vulnerable people out of their life savings allegedly claimed to be psychics capable of “spiritually cleansing” cash.
The Express
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A group accused of scamming vulnerable people out of their life savings allegedly claimed to be psychics capable of “spiritually cleansing” cash.
Court documents revealed that detail on Wednesday, when a woman allegedly involved in the suspected syndicate was refused bail.
Tina Montana, 47, faced Bankstown Local Court, charged with seven counts of identity theft, three counts of money laundering, and single counts of participating in an organised crime group, fraud and hindering the discovery of evidence.
She is yet to enter pleas to those charges, as well as two domestic violence-related counts of stalking or intimidation.
Police claim Montana took part in and contributed to a fraud syndicate that also allegedly involved her sister, Maria Williams, and brother-in-law Larry Williams.
The group allegedly encouraged people to provide its members with property and money under the guise of offering psychic services, but failed to return these things as agreed.
Campsie detectives launched Strike Force Recycling in July to investigate the group, which has allegedly operated for almost two decades.
Investigators arrested the Williams couple the following month before swooping again in the early hours of Wednesday, taking Montana into custody at her Punchbowl home.
Police searched the property and seized a number of items suspected to have been used in connection with the alleged offences, including tarot cards, a crystal ball and a number of statues.
Investigators claim Montana aided her sister in “psychic schemes” in 2018, when magistrate Shane McAnulty said she had allegedly obtained $55,000 suspected of being the proceeds of crime and bought 1kg of gold bullion in an attempt to launder money.
Court documents also allege Montana used stolen identification details and created phone numbers under other people’s names in order to launder money into a bank account.
It is further alleged that Montana emptied out a safe deposit box after being notified of a police search warrant prior to it being executed, in order to hinder discovery of evidence connected to serious offences allegedly committed by the two Williams.
Maria Williams, 48, has pleaded not guilty to one count of fraud, while Larry Williams, 50, has denied both that offence and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Court documents reveal the pair are both accused of defrauding tens of thousands of dollars by claiming to perform “spiritual cleansings” of money.
In 2020, the couple allegedly defrauded up to $122,500 while at an address in Wiley Park.
It is also alleged that Larry Williams recklessly dealt with $159,972 in electronic funds suspected of being the proceeds of crime.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Detective Inspector Craig Brooks said the alleged syndicate had been “operating in the greater Sydney region since at least 2006”.
“I won’t go into the specifics other than to say that these (alleged) offenders were claiming to be psychics and used that guise to elicit funds and property from the victims,” Det Insp Brooks said.
“Police do believe other persons are involved. Today, police have charged these (alleged) offenders in connection with four victims.”
Police are appealing to members of the public with any information to contact Campsie Police Station, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Det Insp Brooks also urged anyone who believed themselves to be the victim of a scam or potential scheme involving a psychic to report the matter to police.
Montana is due back in court in December.
Larry Williams’ matters are set to return to court the same month, while Maria Williams has hearing dates in April and May next year.
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