Third-party IT contractor arrested for $90,000 fraud
Editor’s note: Images from the search warrant available via Hightail
A Sydney man faced Burwood Local Court on Friday (3 March, 2023) after he was arrested by the AFP for an alleged cybercrime-enabled fraud against the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM).
It will be alleged the man was a contracted IT support worker to a third-party provider who accessed ANMM’s account payable system and illegally changed bank account details stored in the museum’s system to his own.
The financial details of several individuals and businesses were also unlawfully obtained, resulting in the man allegedly using credit card information to make a series of unauthorised purchases.
In November, the ANMM detected anomalies in provided financial information for contracted companies. Independent forensic investigators identified the extent of the issue and the AFP was notified.
AFP Cybercrime Operations investigators allegedly linked the man, 23, to the unauthorised access of several systems and servers.
Investigators executed a search warrant at the man’s Macquarie Park home where he was arrested and charged with:
- Two counts of unauthorised access and modification with intent to commit a serious computer offence, contrary to section 477.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth),
- Four counts of dishonestly obtaining or dealing in personal financial information, contrary to section 480.4 of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth), and
- Five counts of dishonestly obtaining property by deception, contrary to section 192E of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW).
Police also seized several electronic items including a laptop, hard drives and a mobile phone that will be subject to further forensic analysis and could result in additional charges.
AFP Detective Leading Senior Constable Clare Yammine said trusted insiders remained a very real threat to the Australian community, and initial estimates of the total value of money allegedly diverted in this matter at $90,000.
“The AFP is committed to preventing and prosecuting cybercrime and fraud committed against Australians and businesses,” Leading Sen-Constable Yammine said.
“We will allege the motivation for this activity was greed, and it came at the expense of hard working Australians who are already feeling the impacts of everyday living expenses.
“These men and women were innocently impacted while one individual reaps the rewards.
“The AFP-hosted Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre helps ensure that we are in the best possibly position to disrupt cybercriminals and bring them to account for their illegal actions.”
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