Alleged ‘blue-screen bandit’ and co-accused of Adelaide’s Andrew Brolese unmasked after extradition from Spain to US court

A man accused – along with an Adelaide millionaire – of being behind an alleged global cyber fraud can be unmasked after his extradition to the US.

Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain. Picture: Sheriff Gaston County

An Adelaide millionaire’s fellow accused mastermind who allegedly plotted a global “blue screen of death” cyber fraud can be unmasked after his European extradition.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has charged eastern suburbs father Andrew Brolese, 43, and Middle-Eastern co-accused Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, with fleecing vulnerable victims of almost $50m.

But as Mr Brolese, a “digital marketer” who owns a $6m Glen Osmond mansion, languishes in Italian custody on remand, his alleged co-conspirator appeared in a United States federal court over the weekend.

The US Department of Justice announced it successfully extradited Mr Ahluwalia, a dual British and United Arab Emirates citizen living in Dubai, from Spain last week.

Mr Ahluwalia, whose online aliases allegedly included “Biku”, “Internetteam5000”, “Don Bonsa” and “Bobby”, is charged with helping mastermind the five-year international “tech support fraud scheme”.

During a Western District of North Carolina hearing on Friday, US time, he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer and wire fraud between April 2016 and March 2021.

Mr Brolese’s family home at Glen Osmond. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Mr Ahluwalia, who faces a maximum of up to 30 years in prison if found guilty, did not apply for bail.

Judge David Keesler, sitting in Charlotte, remanded him in custody to reappear at a later date.

A special Nashville Cyber Task Force, comprising FBI agents and Knoxville detectives, alleged in the indictment the “blue screen of death” gang – using “malicious” malware software proliferated over the internet and encrypted applications – made illicit profits worth at least $49.95m.

Mr Borlese, an Adelaide private schoolboy who has worked in Australia – including for the federal government – New Zealand and Monaco, is being held at Busto Arsizio prison, near Milan.

He is fighting US extradition in Italy’s Supreme Court.

Mr Brolese, who allegedly used an Andrew_X alias, has yet to plead to nine counts of wire fraud or conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one charge each of conspiracy to damage a protected computer and money-laundering conspiracy.

Court documents allege Mr Brolese – a dual Australian-Italian citizen who has also lived overseas – and other suspects fleeced at least 12 victims in five US states.

A special Nashville Cyber Task Force, comprising FBI agents and Knoxville detectives, alleged the “blue screen of death” gang stole at least $49.95m. Picture: Getty Images

The FBI allege the pair, who owned Seychelles-based company Digital Marketing Support Services (DMSS), “published and sold malicious pop-ups” to spark fake tech support.

Investigators allege these “mimicked fatal system-error screens also known as ‘blue screens of death’”.

Victims, none of whom are identified, lived in states including Tennessee, Florida and five counties across North Carolina while two unnamed “multinational” technology companies were also allegedly defrauded in Washington state and California.

His Sydney-based lawyers said he is presumed innocent as he awaits extradition.

The Australian government is assisting his distraught South Australian-based family, who declined to comment.

Outside court, acting US Attorney Lawrence Cameron praised the Spanish government’s “substantial assistance”.

“The charges … are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” he said.

A Knoxville Police Department spokesman referred inquiries to the DoJ.

Originally published as Alleged ‘blue-screen bandit’ and co-accused of Adelaide’s Andrew Brolese unmasked after extradition from Spain to US court