Pakistani national Ali Gill charged over alleged $2m scam targeting NSW Government

A Pakistani national, allegedly linked to an overseas crime syndicate, has been accused of sending the proceeds of a multimillion-dollar scam targeting the state government offshore.

A Pakistani national, allegedly linked to an overseas crime syndicate, has been accused of sending the proceeds of a multimillion-dollar scam targeting the state government offshore.

Ali Gill, who has been living in Australia on a bridging visa, was refused bail when he faced Bankstown Local Court via audiovisual link on Tuesday, charged with recklessly dealing with more than $5000 in the proceeds of crime and participating in a criminal group.

The 24-year-old, who is yet to enter pleas, was arrested when Strike Force Millbon detectives raided a Chester Hill granny flat on Monday and seized multiple electronic devices.

NSW Police say the strike force, which was formed in September 2024 to investigate alleged “business email compromise” fraud, found a state government department had transferred $2.1m to what it wrongly believed was a legitimate financial institution.

Police will allege Gill used his own bank account to help scammers funnel that money into overseas accounts linked to a foreign crime syndicate.

Police arrest Ali Gill on Monday. Picture: NSW Police

On Tuesday, the court heard the bank account had since been suspended.

The court also heard Gill had previously been charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime and that he had breached bail conditions in the past.

Bankstown courthouse, where Ali Gill appeared.

A prosecutor argued the 24-year-old also had the potential to impact ongoing investigations if released from custody.

Gill’s lawyer, Oscar Chidiac of Chidiac Lawyers, conceded the 24-year-old’s alleged offending was serious but argued the court could impose conditions, such as house arrest and limiting him to a single mobile phone monitored by police.

Mr Chidiac also said police had already seized Gill’s passport, mitigating any potential flight risk.

Magistrate Glenn Walsh ultimately remanded Gill in custody, saying no conditions could remove the “unacceptably” high risk of Gill committing offences on bail.

Gill is expected back in court on November 26.

Speaking generally in a statement, Detective Superintendent Matt Craft said even big businesses and government organisations could fall victim to “business email compromise” fraud.

“A business email compromise is where the scammer uses what looks like an official email to trick someone within an organisation into sending money on behalf of the company,” the NSW Police cybercrime squad commander said.

“But it’s important to remember that the NSW Police Force works closely with banks, and every electronic transaction in Australia leaves a permanent record, so we can act quickly when suspicious activity is identified.

“Our success in targeting these types of criminals is thanks to the cooperation that exists within the Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre, and due to the quick actions, all funds were recovered.”

Investigations under Strike Force Millbon are ongoing.

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