Australian Federal Police charge Dutch national in north Qld on ‘money mule’ allegations

Police allege more than $3.5 million was stolen from Aussie bank accounts in an elaborate scheme involving cryptocurrency and ‘money mules’.

The Australian Federal Police began investigating malware last year they say laundered more than $3.5m out of Australian bank accounts. Picture: AFP

A Dutch national in north Queensland has been arrested for his alleged role in a money mule network that police say siphoned Australians out of more than $3.5m.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) last year began investigating malware, believed to have been developed by a cybercrime syndicate, that targeted Australian and overseas bank account holders.

According to the AFP, the malware was used to steal bank account details to “extract funds” from victims. The syndicate then used the money mule network to transfer the stolen funds offshore.

By following the money trail, the AFP linked one victim to an account belonging to the 22-year-old Dutch national, who police allege is a money mule.

The AFP found in one instance the man had $18,000 in stolen funds transferred into his bank account.

Police allege he took a 5 per cent commission and withdrew cash before converting it to Bitcoin via a Bitcoin ATM in Sydney and transferring it offshore.

The Australian Federal Police said the man allegedly transferred the cash he stole from using the illegal malware into Bitcoin before sending it offshore. Picture: Ozan KOSE / AFP

Officers arrested the man on December 16, 2020 when he attended the Ayr police station on an unrelated matter.

The man was charged with dealing with money suspected to be proceeds of crime to the value of $18,000.

He faces up to two years imprisonment, a $16,000 fine, or both if convicted and is due to front Ayr Magistrates Court on Monday.

AFP Commander Chris Goldsmid said if something sounded “too good to be true, then it often is”.

“While these mules think they can earn money with little effort, they are stealing from hardworking Australians and will face the full force of the law,” he said.

“Would-be money mules need to look beyond earning that quick cash.

“As we believe happened in this investigation, you just might be helping a cybercrime syndicate steal thousands of dollars from honest everyday Australians.”

Commander Goldsmid said one victim reported a loss of $40,000 from their bank account.

Investigations into both the cybercrime syndicate and money mule network are ongoing.