Police shut allegedly illegal vape website, claw back $1m in sales

Police have raided an online vape store and frozen its bank accounts, closing down a website promising customers ‘once you try vaping, you won’t go back’.

Social media for a Sydney-based illegal online vape vendor, spruiking ‘tasty’ discounted disposable products. Picture: Instagram

Federal police have shut down an alleged black market vape vendor whose website advertised the ­“superior craftsmanship” and “fresh, fruity flavours” of their illegal products, clawing back $1m in allegedly criminal proceeds.

The AFP in a joint investi­gation with Austrac and the Therapeutic Goods Administration executed a series of raids in June on the bank accounts and storage units of Wenyun Yan, 23, of southern Sydney’s Rosebery.

Dubbed “Operation Smoke­storm”, the investigation led to the closure of ivapeman.com, a glitzy digital marketplace promising disposable vapes under the motto: “We promise that once you try vaping, you won’t go back.”

Police will say the $1m seized from two bank accounts was the proceeds of illegal vape sales

A tip-off by ANZ and Westpac through Austrac alerted police to the sales, before raids on the storage units led police to an inventory of branded vapes and handwritten sale logs.

The black market service ran off a website mimicking online shopping services, complete with snappy advertising and discount deals. Picture: Supplied

Mr Yan is also alleged to have held the proceeds of wholesale distribution to tobacconists across Sydney. The TGA’s investigation is ongoing.

While ivapeman.com was taken offline, site archives show it marketed itself as a legitimate retailer, offering “24/7 customer support chat”, “same day despatch (sic) for order (sic) placed before 2pm”, and conditional free and express shipping.

“(One brand) stands out from other models; advanced vapers who appreciate its remarkable quality and superior craftsmanship greatly prize this vaporizer (sic),” the website’s promotional copy reads.

“Ivapeman is dedicated to offering premium-vape (sic) and the most cutting-edge, inventive vaping technology and is the best vape shop. To improve the smoking experience, we strive to deliver the most affordable disposable vapes. These single-use disposables have mouth­watering flavours.

“Every week, we also introduce promotions with discount coupon codes and bundle sales to make vaping enjoyable and also help to save money.”

Every single product offered was listed at a discount and an FAQ on the site explained how customers could become a “promoter” of the service.

A social media account linked to the vendor remains active on Instagram, advertising a Father’s Day promotion.

AFP commander Jason Kennedy praised the investigation. “The AFP and its partners will use every tool in our arsenal to ensure crime does not receive a payday,” he said. “The ability to restrain property suspected to be the proceeds of crime sends a clear message to criminals – if you commit crime, you not only risk a term of imprisonment but we will also target your ill-gotten assets.

“If these funds are forfeited to the commonwealth, they will be redirected to crime prevention and diversionary programs which benefit the community.”

The raids come after NSW Premier Chris Minns suggested NSW police might be called in to help regulate increasing black market tobacco and vape sales, raising concerns it might divert state police resources.

Acting TGA head Chris Bedford said the investigation was a success for public health.

“By targeting both the illicit products and the financial infrastructure behind these unlawful operations, we’re protecting the health of Australians and sending a clear message that we are focused on stamping out illicit vaping operations,” Mr Bedford said.