$500k luxury car syndicate used fake credit cards, police claim
Four people have been arrested as cops seized a number of Lexus cars in raids across Sydney as they dismantled an alleged syndicate which onsold $500,000 in fine automobiles, police claim.
Police & Courts
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An alleged criminal syndicate which NSW Police claim fake credit cards to buy luxury cars with no intention of repaying them has been dismantled by detectives.
Four will face court for their alleged role in the syndicate which police claim fraudulently bought more than $500,000 worth of luxury cars.
Police will allege the syndicate used fake credit cars to buy six luxury vehicles from across Sydney, each valued at more than $80,000 before onselling them.
Police raided eight properties at Elizabeth Hills, Guildford, Old Guildford, Enfield, Five Dock, Prestons and Liverpool on Wednesday.
During the raids, officers seized Lexus vehicles, about 50,000 illicit cigarettes, mobile phones, small quantities of methylamphetamine and cannabis, more than $27,000 cash and documentation.
Four men – aged 32, 36, 48 and 62 – were arrested during the operation and taken to local police stations before being charged.
Financial Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Linda Howlett, said police have conducted a thorough and extensive investigation into the activities of this alleged criminal syndicate.
“These individuals were (allegedly) participating in a joint criminal enterprise aimed at defrauding the community of hundreds of thousands of dollars that they had no intention of ever repaying,” he said.
“This investigation uncovered that the syndicate was (allegedly) purchasing high-end motor vehicles with fraudulently obtained credit cards, before onselling them at a reduced price.
“It’s these kinds of (alleged) crimes that have the ability to financially cripple hardworking members of our society and as investigations under Strike Force Celti continue, anyone with information is urged to contact police,” Det Supt Howlett said.
The 32-year-old Guilford man, Memati Bash, was charged with three counts of deal with property proceeds of crime, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity and possess identity info to commit indictable offence.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Thursday, when he appeared on video and was assisted by an Arabic interpreter. He was granted bail despite the prosecution arguing his release could interfere with evidence.
Police allege in court documents that Bash bought two grey 2020 model Lexus IS300s worth $85,400 and $65,800, and a $75,660 white 2021 Lexus IS300 with the proceeds of crime.
His lawyer Jeff Clarke told the court his client was a full time carer for a 53-year-old man with osteoporosis at Bass Hill and he had not breached previous bail conditions for a low-range drinking offence and drug possession.
Magistrate Kate Thompson told the court Bash was not the principal of the syndicate but played an integral role in the enterprise.
“The offence presents as one of seriousness given the sophistication of the enterprise as alleged in the facts,’’ she said.
“I take into account the strength of the case. The material before me could not be said to be weak.’’
However, Ms Thompson said Bash had no history of violence and, because a jail sentence was likely, his time in custody was unknown.
She was satisfied the prosecution’s concerns over his release could be satisfied under strict bail conditions including not contacting nine men unless it was for legal discussions, not returning to his former home at Railway Terrace at Merrylands, reporting daily to Granville police station, surrendering his passport and not attending car dealerships.
The matter will return to court on June 10.
The 36-year-old Elizabeth Hills man was charged with 13 offences including seven counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, four counts of deal with identity info to commit indictable offence, knowingly/recklessly direct criminal group assist crime and recklessly deal with proceeds of crime. He was granted strict conditional bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court on Wednesday 9 June 2021.
The 48-year-old Enfield man was charged with deal with property proceeds of crime, deal with identity info to commit indictable offence, dishonestly obtain property by deception and participate criminal group contribute criminal activity.
The 62-year-old Five Dock man was charged with 11 offences including four counts of deal with identity info to commit indictable offence, two counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, three counts of possess prohibited drug and possess/attempt to prescribed restricted substance.
The men were both granted strict conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on Tuesday 8 June 2021.
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