Boliang Liu, Tao Zhou, Wei Wang: Melbourne east trio face county court over financial crime, money laundering charges

The inside workings of a secretive money laundering syndicate, which washed “eye-watering” amounts of cash across Melbourne, can now be revealed.

The trio are accused of financial crimes. Picture: Nicholas Eagar

The inside workings of a suburban money laundering syndicate that washed millions in cash, can be revealed after sweeping raids across Melbourne’s eastern suburbs netted police luxury cars, Mike Tyson memorabilia and 24 karat gold playing cards.

Three of the syndicate’s key players — Boliang Liu, Tao Zhou and Wei Wang — fronted Melbourne County Court via video link on Thursday.

The court heard details about the inner workings of the trio’s operations which involved what Judge Michael Cashill described as an “eye-watering amount of cash”.

Liu, Zhou and Wang fronted court from custody. Generic image.

Zhou and Liu’s offending started in July 2020 while Wang became caught up in the scheme in December 2020.

Zhou was described in court as the “money runner”.

The court heard he received cash from Liu and Wang which he then deposited in ATMs across Melbourne.

In one particularly prodigious two-month period, he deposited more than $10m in cash using Commonwealth bank ATMs.

Zhou is charged with depositing millions at ATMs. File image.

The court heard Liu’s rented home in Burwood was used as a centre for cash delivery, counting and distribution.

On October 7, 2021, an undercover operative from Western Australia started to dig into the matter and spoke to someone who said his family name was Liu.

When the undercover officer said he wanted $100,000 in cash converted to Bitcoin, the person reportedly named Liu said he was assisting a client with a large amount of cash, the court heard.

He also told the operative he had the capability to handle $1m a week.

The court heard Liu was also caught discussing his “business” with a family member.

When the family member asked about “Russian black money”, Liu told them: “We don’t worry where the s--t is coming from”.

“What’s most important we need to survive … Number one safety, number two survival,” Liu said.

The prosecution said Liu discussed the amount of money he could launder in a week.

He reportedly said: “too quick, too big will cause some troubles … $1m is okay, at max $1.5m to $2m per week is safe bro”

In October 2021, police swooped on the trio, raiding multiple homes across Melbourne’s east, seizing millions in cash.

Officers also seized numerous luxury cars and, at one house, Mike Tyson memorabilia as well as 24 karat gold playing cards.

The trio were arrested in October 2021. File image.

The trio had all entered guilty pleas at earlier dates.

On April 29, Liu pleaded guilty to four counts of dealing with money, totalling more than $33 million, suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

On July 18, Zhou pleaded guilty to four counts of dealing with money, totalling more than $30m, suspected of being the proceeds of crime

On the same date, Wang pleaded guilty to two counts of dealing with money, totalling more than $15m, suspected of being the proceeds of crime, as well as two counts of dealing with property, totalling more than $17m, suspected of being the proceeds of crime.

They will return to court for sentence at a later date.