Summary
Using false passports and aliases, a foreign national opened multiple accounts with different banks across three Australian states. He then used the accounts to exchange counterfeit euros for Australian dollars, which he deposited and later withdrew in a series of small transactions. Reporting by banks helped to identify the offender, who was convicted on 137 counts and sentenced to over 10 years in prison.
What to look out for
- A customer opening an account using a foreign passport that seems to be false, for example, because it doesn’t have the account holder's signature or photo, the issuing authority stamp is unclear, or the machine readable zone code doesn’t match the passport details.
- A foreign national exchanges less than A$10,000 worth of foreign currency for Australian dollars multiple times at different branches of the same bank within a few days.
- A foreign national exchanges less than A$10,000 worth of foreign currency for Australian dollars, depositing the money into an account then withdrawing it.
The crime
A foreign national used several aliases and false foreign passports to establish accounts at multiple banks in three Australian states. Only one bank noticed the offender’s signature didn’t match the one in his passport and refused to let him open an account.
After opening the accounts, the offender visited several banks a day to exchange counterfeit euros, usually in large denominations, for Australian dollars. Over four months, he exchanged over A$300,000 in a series of small exchanges of less than A$10,000. When he opened a new account, deposited 10,000 euros, and then tried to withdraw money at a different branch, staff at one bank became suspicious. They contacted police and the offender was arrested.
Penalties
The offender was charged with 137 counts relating to counterfeit money and using false names and documents. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 and a half years in prison.
How business reporting helped
Banks submitted suspicious matter reports (SMRs) highlighting the offender’s use of counterfeit euros, false foreign passports, and a false residential address. Another SMR was submitted when the offender exchanged, deposited and then withdrew A$20,000 in four exchanges at different branches over two days.
AUSTRAC’s role
AUSTRAC gave police information that helped to identify the offender and link him to an accomplice who was sending large amounts of money – suspected to be proceeds of crime – overseas.
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