Man allegedly had bags filled with cash in Crown casino before Southbank arrest

A Chinese national who allegedly roamed Crown casino with plastic bags filled with cash has been arrested after police raided his hotel as part of a major money laundering probe.

A Chinese national who allegedly roamed Crown casino with plastic bags full of cash has been arrested. Picture: David Crosling

A Chinese national who allegedly roamed Crown Casino with plastic bags full of cash has been arrested in a major money-laundering investigation.

Staff from the casino contacted Victoria Police last Friday over suspicions about the man’s behaviour.

He was carrying plastic bags full of Australian currency and was asked to leave the venue.

Investigators from the Victoria Police criminal proceeds squad arrested the 45-year-old at Southbank on Sunday as part of an inquiry into money laundering.

They later raided a Southbank hotel where the man has been staying and allegedly seized a “significant amount of cash”.

He was interviewed and released.

A Victoria Police statement said the investigation remained ongoing.

Detective Inspector Jennifer Locke from the Criminal Proceeds Squad said entertainment venues such as Crown reporting suspicious behaviour helped target people and groups suspected of moving “dirty money” around.

“It’s crucial that when any kind of suspicious activity like this is witnessed or suspected that the information is provided to police,” she said.

“Any reports of offending are thoroughly evaluated and investigated to ensure those involved in criminal conduct are held to account.

“Police value the efforts of entertainment venues and licensed premises, including Crown to target suspected money laundering.

“This helps law enforcement proactively target those involved in money laundering and follow dirty money as soon as possible.

Inspector Locke said police worked with different agencies to target criminals involved in money laundering, which was often allegedly committed alongside other crimes.

Crown Melbourne chief executive Mike Volkert said the casino helped Victoria Police by providing insight into how people laundered money in a bid to stamp out the crime at its venues.

“There is no place for money laundering or terrorism financing at Crown or in our communities,” he said.

“Crown remains fully committed to being a trusted partner to law enforcement agencies and AUSTRAC in the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious financial crime.

“We were pleased to assist Victoria Police in this matter, helping to identify persons of interest, provide insight into money laundering techniques, and through ongoing support with the investigation.”