AFP smash alleged Chinese-Australian money laundering operation in Sydney trends now
Nine people allegedly behind a massive Chinese-Australian money laundering operation have been arrested as police seize $150million in property, designer handbags and luxury jewellery.
The alleged head of the criminal syndicate, a 43-year-old man was taken away from his Vaucluse home in handcuffs, in Sydney's exclusive eastern suburbs, on Wednesday.
Eight others aged between 33 and 69, all in Sydney, were also arrested and charged with multiple money laundering and proceeds of crime offences.
The AFP alleges the syndicate 'enabled multiple transnational serious and organised crime groups to launder funds derived from criminal activities' between 2018 and 2022.
The group then used these profits to buy high-end jewellery, cars and accessories.
Nine people allegedly behind a massive Chinese-Australian money laundering operation have been arrested as police seize $150million in property, designer handbags and luxury jewellery
One of the alleged syndicate members is seen being arrested on Wednesday
'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,' AFP said in a statement.
'Criminal groups in Australia and offshore allegedly used its services to ensure their money appeared to be filtered through legitimate systems and their criminal activities hidden from law enforcement.'
Police seized $150million in property, cash and luxury items during raids
Luxury jewellery has also been seized that allegedly belonged to the syndicate
The group allegedly obtained more than $150million in profits from the operation.
Police raided 13 properties across Sydney on Wednesday, seizing $29million in
