Sydney man linked to identity theft syndicate

A Sydney man has been charged with money laundering offences following an investigation by the multi-agency Identity Security Strike Team (ISST).

The 41-year-old from Stanhope Gardens was arrested late yesterday after two search warrants were executed in Haymarket and at his home in Sydney’s outer north-west.

He was granted conditional bail and is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, 18 June 2008.

The man is one of 20 people charged as part of the ongoing ISST investigation known as Operation Hickey, which has been targeting identity theft syndicates in Australia for more than a year.

Police will allege in court that the man worked for a Sydney-based crime syndicate in 2006 and assisted with the transfer of more than $1.1 million in fraudulently obtained funds.

The ISST is a multi-agency task force with members from the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Police Force, Australian Crime Commission, NSW Crime Commission and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The ISST operates from the AFP's Sydney office, and is one of four teams across Australia.

The teams investigate serious and complex identity security matters and form a collaborative network among law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with this crime.

The man was charged with four counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime under section 400.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years imprisonment.

Media inquiries:

AFP Media (Canberra) (02) 6275 7100

DIAC Media (02) 6264 2244

NSW Police Force Media 0425 214 090

ACC Media (02) 6243 6648