The AFP alleges the group enabled multiple transnational serious and organised crime (TSOC) groups to launder funds derived from criminal activities.
It will be alleged the group laundered more than $150 million of their own profits from this enterprise, between 2018 and 2022.
The AFP arrested the alleged head of the money laundering organisation last week at his Vaucluse home. It is alleged the man, 43, was a founder of the group and directed its global activities.
Eight other people were also arrested and charged with multiple money laundering and proceeds of crime offences, allegedly carried out in support of the organisation’s extensive activities.
A Yagoona man was charged with aid and abet, counselled or procured the commission of an offence and pervert the course of justice in relation to a judicial power of the Commonwealth.
The AFP alleges the money laundering organisation was a global operation uniquely-headquartered in Sydney, which facilitated the movement of illicit money through multiple jurisdictions by multiple means, including exploitation of daigous (exporting), casino junkets and the informal value transfer system, which generally occurs outside conventional banking systems.
It will be alleged the syndicate acted as an unregulated multi-national bank, able to draw on cash reserves held in multiple countries around the world to facilitate transactions for criminal clients.
The AFP executed search warrants at 13 locations across Sydney and allegedly seized more than $29 million in cryptocurrency, 18 designer watches, 17 designer handbags, at least 46 items of luxury jewellery and four licensed firearms that were unlawfully stored.
