Alleged gang member among 10 arrested over $1.8m ATO fraud
A BMW, cash, drugs and crypto hardware have been seized after 10 people, including an alleged Brisbane gang member, were accused of defrauding the ATO.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
An alleged Brisbane gang member is one of 10 people accused of ripping off taxpayers to the tune of $1.8 million through GST fraud.
Items including a BMW coupe, cash, drugs, electronic equipment, crypto hardware wallets, identification and designer clothing have been seized as part of the crackdown by the Organised Crime Gangs Group targeting street gangs.
Police will allege gang members, aged between 18 and 22, were involved in a number of large-scale deceptions against government agencies and financial institutions where they provided false details in order to receive fraudulent payments.
It will be alleged they collectively defrauded the Australian Taxation Office more than $1.8 Million.
An alleged member of street gang Swish Bound Gorillas, Mbari Bounis Ambri, 20, faced Brisbane Magistrates Court today charged with 10 counts of fraud.
Police will allege he defrauded the ATO of nearly $400,000.
Lawyer Tyronne Thomas made an application for bail saying his client would contest the allegations
“My client doesn’t live a lavish lifestyle he lives with his father …in Redbank Plains,” he said.
“My client disputes and denies that he’s got any gang affiliations or involvement.”
However Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne said police claimed Ambri had an “intense involvement” with gangs including a shooting involving a shotgun.
He said the fraud was allegedly perpetrated on the ATO “and thus the Australian population”.
“The strength of evidence against the defendant seems to be very well investigated and the trap well and truly sprung before police moved on the matter,” he said.
Bail was denied.
Police said detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command’s Organised Crime Gangs Group, Taskforce Uniform Knot commenced Operation Uniform Doublet in May to investigate an alleged fraud scheme committed by people linked to criminal street gangs.
Multiple search warrants have been executed over the last three weeks at properties across Brisbane and Toowoomba, with the assistance of the Financial and Cyber Crime Group.
An 18-year-old Redbank man has been charged with four counts of fraud and is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 8
A 19-year-old Goodna man has been charged with nine counts of fraud, nine counts of receiving tainted property, and one count each of money laundering, contravene requirement and possess explosives and appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
A 22-year-old Chapel Hill man has been charged with two counts of fraud and one count of possess tainted property will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on October 28.
A 20-year-old Ripley man has been charged with two counts of fraud, possess tainted property and contravene requirement and one count of money laundering. He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 7.
A 20-year-old Springfield Lakes man has been charged with three counts of fraud, two counts of attempted fraud, receiving and possess trained property and one count of possess dangerous drug and possess thing and will reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on November 7 after been remanded in custody yesterday.
A 22-year-old Redbank man was charged with two counts of fraud. He appeared in the court yesterday and has been remanded in custody, to reappear on November 7.
Police allege the individuals were involved in a number of large-scale deceptions against government agencies and financial institutions where they provided false details in order to receive fraudulent payments, which collectively totalled more than $1.8 million.
“We believe the funds obtained are used to undertake further serious offending,” Detective Acting Superintendent Tim Leadbetter said in a statement.
“This is an excellent example of investigators identifying offences and commencing immediate action to investigate and disrupt the crime.”
All 10 people are between the ages of 18 and 22 and have been charged with a range of offences including fraud, receiving tainted property, money laundering, drug offences, and, in the case of a 19-year-old Goodna man, possess explosives.
Originally published as Alleged gang member among 10 arrested over $1.8m ATO fraud
Experts reveal how to smash year 12 maths exams
The head of mathematics at one of Brisbane’s top academic performing schools has provided insight for year 12 students and parents on how to tackle and nail the QCE maths exam paper.
‘Un-Australian’: Shock after inner-city public BBQ left in disgrace
The “disgusting and un-Australian” mess left at an inner-city public park barbecue has been slammed by hundreds of community members. HAVE YOUR SAY
Vote now: Which reader question should be put to the leaders?
Steven Miles and David Crisafulli are being put under the pump by Courier-Mail subscribers this election. Now it’s time for you to have your say on which question is asked.
Secret source of cheap groceries I didn’t know I was eligible for
A Queensland mum reveals how she’s cut the big two supermarkets out of her weekly shop - and the source of discount groceries she didn’t think she could access.
Katter’s bombshell abortion backflip amid election firestorm
Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter has sensationally backtracked on his vow to repeal abortion laws, a pledge that sparked a political firestorm.
Council, police evict 50 campers from city park
More than 50 people living in tents and vans have been evicted from a southeast Queensland park after police and council rangers enforced a final warning to vacate.