Melbourne Airport: Men charged for alleged rental car fraud, while trying to flee to India

Indian nationals arrested as they allegedly tried to flee the country will face serious fraud charges after a joint NSW and Vic police operation.

Two men were arrested after attempting to flee to India following an alleged $750,000 rental car fraud.

Two men have tried to escape to India after they, and a third man, allegedly fraudulently obtained 19 rental cars and sold the vehicles for more than $750,000.

As part of the investigation two Indian nationals, 26 and 31, were arrested at Melbourne Airport and charged last year.

While the third man, a 39-year-old was arrested at Sydney Olympic Park about 7.30am today.

In May 2020, detectives from the NSW police Financial Crimes Squad’s motor unit, with help from Kings Cross police area command, established Strike Force Bijous to investigate the fraudulent acquisition and on-sale of rental cars across NSW.

During the investigation, police received information 19 vehicles, leased from five separate car rental companies in Sydney, had been sold through websites and online marketplaces.

The alleged fraudulent transactions involving the cars has an estimated combined value of more than $750,000.

Australian Federal Police detectives arrested a 26-year-old at Melbourne Airport after he allegedly tried to board a flight to India on July 28, 2020.

The man, who is an Indian national, was taken to Broadmeadow police station by Victoria Police officers and charged on an interstate warrant for fraud-related offences.

The man was extradited to NSW and taken to Wagga Wagga police station and charged with 35 offences including; 16 counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, 16 counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime intent to conceal, two counts of knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and deal with property proceeds of crime equal to or more than $100,000.

AFP officers also arrested a 31-year-old man, another Indian national, at Melbourne Airport after he allegedly tried to board a flight to India on September 15, 2020.

The man was taken to Broadmeadow police station by Victoria Police officers and charged with an interstate warrant for fraud-related offences.

He was also extradited to NSW and charged with 21 offences including; 10 counts of dishonestly obtain property by deception, dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception, nine counts of larceny as bailee (property value greater than $15,000) and larceny as bailee (property value between $5,000 and $15,000).

Both men will face Central Local Court today.

The third man was arrested by the NSW detectives at home on Australia St, Sydney Olympic Park.

During a search of the property, police allegedly seized several hard drives, phones, credit cards and documents. They will undergo forensic examination.

The man was taken to Auburn Police Station where charges are expected to be laid.