26-year-old Chatswood woman final person sentenced over money laundering syndicate

Federal police uncovered a Vietnam-based syndicate using money mules across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra.

A 26-year-old Chatswood woman has become the seventh and final person sentenced for her involvement in washing $3.8m for a Vietnamese money laundering syndicate.

AFP officers uncovered a Vietnam-based syndicate using money mules across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, which took advantage of ATMs and bank branches to evade law enforcement and deposit proceeds of their criminal activity.

One Sydney-based mule disguised herself with wigs and sunglasses to avoid detection from ATM cameras during deposits.

The Chatswood woman, who was sentenced on March 28 to 21 months’ imprisonment, marks the final conviction in a series of arrests under Operation Avarus-Galetta, which launched in 2022.

Between October and November 2022, the AFP charged five individuals with laundering offences, prompting the syndicate’s co-ordinator, a 43-year-old man, to travel to Sydney to assess the situation.

One Sydney-based mule regularly changed her clothes and wore wigs and sunglasses to disguise her identity from ATM cameras during deposits. Picture: AFP

An arrest being made during the AFP-led task-force Avarus operation. Picture: AFP

Upon arriving at Sydney Airport, he was apprehended by AFP officers and in a desperate attempt to secure his release he attempted to bribe the officers twice, offering $20,000 in cash.

AFP officers connected the man to the Chatswood woman after analyzing his electronic devices and following further investigation confirmed that the 26-year-old had rented 10 bank accounts to the syndicate.

The syndicate used ATMs and bank branches in suburbs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra to evade law enforcement. Picture: AFP

These accounts, which were linked to the 26-year-old, facilitated the laundering of $3,820,725 in proceeds of crime, which were ultimately transferred overseas.

She was charged with recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime worth $1 million or more on multiple occasions, pleading guilty on September 3, 2024, before being sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment in March, 2025.

CCTV of alleged money laundering. Picture: AFP

Several people have been charged during the operation. Picture: AFP

AFP Detective Acting Inspector Morag McGowan emphasised the importance of targeting money laundering within organised crime.

“If you are moving funds to assist with money laundering, be warned the AFP is working closely with financial institutions and other law enforcement agencies to target you and your associates,” he said.

“The AFP will not hesitate to prosecute those who prop up organised crime, irrespective of where they sit in a syndicate’s hierarchy. We thank our investigators for their tireless work to ensure these criminals face their day in court.”

Originally published as 26-year-old Chatswood woman final person sentenced over money laundering syndicate